An Act establishing the Massachusetts farm to school program
By Ms. Comerford, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 311) of Joanne M. Comerford, Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr., Adam Gomez, Jacob R. Oliveira and other members of the General Court for legislation to establish farm to school grants to promote healthy eating and strengthen the agricultural economy. Education.
Bill Information
Bill Information
- Presenter:
- Joanne M. Comerford
- Status:
- Referred to Senate Committee on Ways and Means
Providing fresh, local food to schools promotes nutritious eating, supports farms and fisheries, and gives an important financial boost to local economies. The Massachusetts FRESH grant program has been successful in enabling schools and early education programs to serve high-quality meals made with locally grown foods, while at the same time educating students about nutrition and where the food they eat comes from. This bill establishes a new Massachusetts Farm to School Program, codifying the existing FRESH grant program in state law and adding a local food incentive to provide matching funds to schools for purchasing locally grown food.
Section-by-section summary:
Section 1 (a): Establishes the Massachusetts Farm to School Program (FTSP) under the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to strengthen the local food economy, improve student nutrition, and enhance food literacy through grants and incentives. Sets up an advisory committee with diverse stakeholders to guide program development and administration and a program coordinator to oversee implementation and outreach.
Section 1 (b): Establishes a grant program within the FSTP to fund local food use in schools and food literacy initiatives. Eligible programs include K-12 and child care programs that provide meals through the National School Lunch Program or the Child and Adult Care Food Program. Grants shall prioritize funding kitchen equipment, staff training, curriculum integration, and infrastructure like school gardens. Establishes a dedicated Farm to School Fund to help finance these activities.
Section 1 (c): Establishes a Massachusetts Local Food Incentive program within the FSTP to reimburse schools and childcare programs for purchases of locally sourced food, with higher reimbursement rates (1 dollar for every 2 dollars spent) for Massachusetts-grown products than for products from surrounding states (1 dollar for every 3 dollars spent). The program will prioritize equitable access, support small and socially disadvantaged producers, and comply with federal nutrition guidelines.
Section 1 (d): Requires an annual report from DESE on program impacts, including data on participation, food purchases, and educational outcomes. The report will identify challenges and resource needs based on surveys and testimonials.
Section 2: Mandates that DESE issue regulations for the program within 180 days of the law's enactment.
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