Lawmakers introduce bill to expand local food access in schools

Senator Ron Wyden and Congressman Peter Welch have introduced legislation that aims to expand schools’ access to local foods. 

The Local School Foods Expansion Act would build upon the Unprocessed Fruits and Vegetables Pilot that was part of the 2014 Farm Bill. If passed, the bill would expand the pilot to 14 states.

It would also include $25 million in funding for technical assistance to schools in participating states, which would help build their capacity for local food procurement and assist new produce vendors in being approved to sell to schools.

The bill is one of several pieces of legislation introduced in the past few weeks that lawmakers hope will be included in Child Nutrition Reauthorization.