This bill, titled the Farm to School Act of 2025, aims to reauthorize and significantly expand the existing Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program. It broadens the definition of an "eligible institution" to include land-grant colleges and universities, in addition to schools, and clarifies that a "farm to school program" encompasses activities like planting gardens, procuring from local agricultural producers, and conducting educational activities related to agriculture, nutrition, or food. A key provision is the substantial increase in authorized annual funding for the program, from $5,000,000 to $15,000,000 , for fiscal years 2026 through 2031. The legislation enhances grant provisions, setting a maximum award of $500,000 over a three-year term, with the Secretary encouraged to offer diverse amounts and durations to match project scope. It emphasizes improving local food procurement and distribution options, including funding for innovative approaches to aggregation, processing, transportation, and distribution. The bill also allows for the waiver or modification of matching requirements to reduce barriers for high-priority projects and permits Tribal agencies to use certain federal funds to satisfy their non-Federal share. Priority for grant awards is given to projects that incorporate experiential and culturally appropriate education, serve a high proportion of children from socially disadvantaged backgrounds , expand local commodity selection, and address diet-related health issues. Notably, the bill prioritizes projects serving Tribal communities that incorporate traditional foods from Tribal agricultural producers. Furthermore, it mandates the Secretary to conduct triennial reviews and submit reports on regulatory and other barriers affecting farm to school programs, including those impacting small-scale and Tribal producers, to foster greater participation and effectiveness.
This bill, titled the Farm to School Act of 2025, aims to reauthorize and significantly expand the existing Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program. It broadens the definition of an "eligible institution" to include land-grant colleges and universities, in addition to schools, and clarifies that a "farm to school program" encompasses activities like planting gardens, procuring from local agricultural producers, and conducting educational activities related to agriculture, nutrition, or food. A key provision is the substantial increase in authorized annual funding for the program, from $5,000,000 to $15,000,000 , for fiscal years 2026 through 2031. The legislation enhances grant provisions, setting a maximum award of $500,000 over a three-year term, with the Secretary encouraged to offer diverse amounts and durations to match project scope. It emphasizes improving local food procurement and distribution options, including funding for innovative approaches to aggregation, processing, transportation, and distribution. The bill also allows for the waiver or modification of matching requirements to reduce barriers for high-priority projects and permits Tribal agencies to use certain federal funds to satisfy their non-Federal share. Priority for grant awards is given to projects that incorporate experiential and culturally appropriate education, serve a high proportion of children from socially disadvantaged backgrounds , expand local commodity selection, and address diet-related health issues. Notably, the bill prioritizes projects serving Tribal communities that incorporate traditional foods from Tribal agricultural producers. Furthermore, it mandates the Secretary to conduct triennial reviews and submit reports on regulatory and other barriers affecting farm to school programs, including those impacting small-scale and Tribal producers, to foster greater participation and effectiveness.