Small Farm to School Act of 2021

To amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to establish a pilot program to provide selected States with an increased reimbursement for school lunches that are comprised of locally grown foods, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Small Farm to School Act of 2021 2. Findings and purpose (a) Findings Congress finds the following: (1) Across the United States, school food service directors of school lunch programs face very tight budgets, and many find it challenging to shift their procurement practices without additional support. (2) One way to encourage school food service directors to procure more locally produced foods is to offer reimbursements to provide financial incentives for purchases and ease the process of shifting existing procurement practices. (3) Research suggests that providing financial incentives to school food service directors for purchasing of locally produced foods, can result in an overall positive economic effect for farmers and local economies. (4) In one such study, Cornell University researchers found that providing an additional $0.05-per-lunch subsidy incentive to school food service directors in New York State that use local fruits or vegetables one day per week would have an overall positive economic effect for farmers and local economies. (5) In a report on Michigan’s 10 Cents a Meal for School Kids and Farms (b) Purpose The purpose of this Act is to provide incentives for school food service directors of school lunch programs to increase purchases of locally produced, processed, and unprocessed foods from small farmers, thereby providing healthier lunches for children and creating a positive economic effect for small farmers and local economies. 3. Locally produced foods pilot program Section 18 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1769 (a) Locally produced foods pilot program (1) In general The Secretary shall carry out a grant program to make 3-year grants to 8 States or Indian tribal organizations to provide school food authorities with an increased reimbursement for free and reduced price lunches that are qualified lunches (as defined in paragraph (10)). (2) Application To be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection, a State or Indian tribal organization shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (3) Selection of States (A) Regional requirement In awarding grants to States or Indian tribal organizations under this subsection, the Secretary shall select at least one State or Indian tribal organization located in each of the following regions designated by the Administrator of the Food and Nutrition Service: (i) The Mid-Atlantic Region. (ii) The Midwest Region. (iii) The Mountain Plains Region. (iv) The Northeast Region. (v) The Southern Region. (vi) The Southwest Region. (vii) The Western Region. (B) Priority (i) Highest priority To the maximum extent practicable, in awarding grants under this subsection, the Secretary shall give the highest priority to a State or Indian tribal organization that proposes in an application under paragraph (2) to carry out a project that, as determined by the Secretary— (I) makes local food products available on the menu of the eligible institution; (II) serves a high proportion of children who are eligible for free or reduced price meals; (III) incorporates experiential, and traditional and culturally appropriate nutrition, food, or agricultural education activities in curriculum planning; (IV) serves a high proportion of children from socially disadvantaged backgrounds; (V) demonstrates collaboration between State and local agencies, Tribal organizations and agencies, agricultural producers or groups of agricultural producers, land-grant colleges and universities, and nonprofit entities; (VI) includes adequate and participatory evaluation plans, as determined by the Secretary; (VII) demonstrates the potential for long-term sustainability; (VIII) increases the availability of locally produced foods to children; and (IX) meets any other criteria that the Secretary determines appropriate. (ii) Additional priority In awarding grants to States or Indian tribal organizations under this subsection, the Secretary shall, in addition to the priority described in clause (i), give priority to— (I) a State or Indian tribal organization with a high quantity and variety of growers of local fruits and vegetables on a per capita basis; and (II) a State or Indian tribal organization with a demonstrated commitment to farm-to-school activities. (4) Use of funds (A) In general A State or Indian tribal organization that receives a grant under this subsection shall use the grant funds to provide to an additional 2.5 cents reimbursement to each school food authority located in such State for each qualified lunch served by such school food authority. (B) Matching funds requirement A State or Indian tribal organization that receives a grant under this subsection shall provide, toward the cost of the activities assisted under the grant, from non-Federal sources, an amount equal to 100 percent of the amount of the grant. (5) Reports (A) State report Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this subsection, a State or Indian tribal organization awarded a grant under this subsection shall submit a report to the Secretary that includes— (i) the quantity of locally grown foods annually purchased and served prior to a grant under this subsection; (ii) the locally grown foods purchased and served pursuant to a grant under this subsection; (iii) the source, quantity, and cost of each such food described in clauses (i) and (ii); and (iv) an assessment of the activities carried out by such State pursuant to such grant. (B) Department report Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress that includes— (i) an analysis of the pilot project under this subsection; (ii) the data reported to the Secretary by participating States and Indian tribal organizations under subparagraph (A); and (iii) a benefit-cost ratio analysis taking into account the increased economic activity on farms, input suppliers, and others employed in the food distribution sector. (6) Supplement, not supplant Grant funds provided under this subsection shall be used to supplement, not supplant, other Federal or State funds available to carry out activities described in this subsection. (7) Allocation of funds (A) In general Of the funds made available to carry out this subsection in a fiscal year, the Secretary shall make an allocation to the 8 States or Indian tribal organizations awarded a grant under this subsection. Such allocation shall be made on a pro rata basis determined by the total number of reimbursable meals served during the previous school year. (B) Administrative Of the funds made available to a State or Indian tribal organization under this subsection, not more than 3 percent may be used for administrative expenses. (8) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2021 and each succeeding fiscal year, to remain available until expended. (9) Definitions In this subsection: (A) Farm-to-school activities The term farm-to-school activities (i) Planting and maintenance of farms or gardens. (ii) Procurement from local agricultural producers. (iii) Educational activities relating to agriculture, nutrition, or food. (B) Locally produced The term locally produced (i) raised, produced, and distributed in a locality that is less than 400 miles from the point of sale of such food, or (ii) raised, produced, distributed, and sold within the same State, territory, or Tribal land. (C) Majority-controlled producer-based business venture The term majority-controlled producer-based venture 7 U.S.C. 1627(c) (D) Qualified lunch The term qualified lunch (i) an independent producer; (ii) an agricultural producer group, farmer, or rancher cooperative or majority-controlled producer-based venture— (I) that is privately held and incorporated within a 400-mile radius of the school food authority procuring such locally produced and unprocessed foods; and (II) of which the majority of the owners are located within a 400-mile radius of such school food authority; or (iii) an intermediary— (I) that is privately held and incorporated within a 400-mile radius of the school food authority procuring such locally produced and unprocessed foods; and (II) of which the majority of the owners are located within a 400-mile radius of such school food authority. (E) Unprocessed The term unprocessed (F) State The term State .

Summary: Small Farm to School Act of 2021 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to award three-year grants to eight states or tribal organizations to provide school food authorities with an increased reimbursement for free and reduced price lunches that include at least one component that is comprised entirely of locally-produced and unprocessed foods procured directly from certain agricultural producers. USDA must select at least one state or tribal organization located in each of the following regions: (1) the Mid-Atlantic Region, (2) the Midwest Region, (3) the Mountain Plains Region, (4) the Northeast Region, (5) the Southern Region, (6) the Southwest Region, and (7) the Western Region. USDA must give the highest priority to applications that propose to carry out certain projects, including projects that (1) serve a high proportion of children from socially disadvantaged backgrounds, and (2) increase the availability of locally-produced foods to children. Additionally, priority must be given to states or tribal organizations with a high quantity and variety of growers of local fruits and vegetables on a per capita basis, and with a demonstrated commitment to farm-to-school activities. Each state or tribal organization that receives a grant must provide, from nonfederal sources, an amount equal to 100% of the awarded grant amount.