SB 770

This bill creates a farm to fork program, similar to the existing farm to school program, to connect entities that are not school districts and that have cafeterias to nearby farms to provide locally produced foods in meals and snacks, to help the public develop healthy eating habits, to provide nutritional and agricultural education, and to improve farmers’ incomes and direct access to markets. Under the bill, the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection must provide grants to entities for these purposes.

The bill also provides GPR funding for DATCP to award grants for creating and expanding farm to school programs and requires that in awarding grants under the farm to school programs, DATCP must give preference to school districts that have a high percentage of students who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals under federal law. Current law requires DATCP to promote farm to school programs, which connect schools with nearby farms to provide children with locally produced foods in school meals, and DATCP must give preference in awarding farm to school grants to innovative proposals or to proposals that provide models for other school districts.

Additionally, the bill provides GPR funding to the Department of Public Instruction for the purpose of providing matching funds for grants under the federal farm to school program.