Farm to School program funding now permanent, keeping local produce in schools
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- Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 172 to codify California’s Farm to School program.
- The Farm to School incubator grant distributed $52.8 million to 195 schools in 2024.
The California Farm to School program now has permanent funding, after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a measure Monday. It has provided California school children with locally grown produce and food education in classrooms.
“California is leading the nation in supporting children’s health by serving nutritious, locally grown school meals and providing food education that equips students with lifelong healthy habits,” Newsom said in a statement. “Supporting California farmers, local communities, and the health of California’s children remains a top priority.”
Farm to School supports “sustainable, local food procurement, minimally processed school meals programs, and hands-on education” through its Incubator Grant program, which invests in schools and food producers. The California Department of Food and Agriculture distributes the annual funds, which totaled $52.8 million across 195 schools in 2024.
The program was launched in the 2021-2022 budget. According to a news release from the CDFA, nearly 3.5 billion free school meals have been served since the program’s inception.
First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom has made providing nutritious school meals a “priority issue” since the Farm to School program took effect, according to reporting by CapRadio. Siebel Newsom and Governor Newsom hosted a ceremonial bill signing at Sacramento’s Fiery Ginger Farm, an incubator grant awardee.
“California’s kids deserve access to school meals that are locally-sourced and full of nutrients to help them reach their full potential and thrive,” Siebel Newsom said in a statement. “Our Farm to School Program has been a lifeline for children across the state.”
Apple Creek Vineyard Farm received a grant of $350,000 through in 2024. According to owner Robert Hoze, the farm used some of the funds to expand its solar power and hydroponics systems.
The farm runs educational programs for children, providing hands-on tours that teach students how soil and water are used to grow food, Hoze said. According to Hoze, the grant allowed Apple Creek Vineyard Farm to begin growing 100% organic produce and establish a partnership with Arcohe Union Elementary School, located 5 miles from the farm.
“(Farm to School) helped put us on the map,” Hoze said. “A lot of people notice what we’re doing. It’s definitely an improvement for the environment, the farming industry and the school. Feeding children and letting them know exactly where food comes from, and that food being fresh fruits and vegetables…that’s tremendous.”
Newsom also signed SB 1058 Monday, updating California law to allow school districts to focus on procuring healthy, locally grown and culturally appropriate food.
Since California implemented free school lunches in 2021, the law has established price as a primary consideration in the selection process for lunch vendors. SB 1058, which takes effect Jan. 1, allows the price of school lunches to be secondary to nutritional value or other factors.
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