The proposed General Assembly Raised Bill No. 7013 seeks to improve the Local Food for Schools Incentive Program and the CT Grown for CT Kids Grant Program by broadening eligibility and enhancing program administration. The bill replaces the term "Eligible board of education" with "Eligible entity," thereby including child care service providers. It also updates definitions for "locally sourced food" and "regionally sourced food" to require a traceable point of origin within Connecticut or neighboring states. The Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, will now administer the program and provide reimbursement payments to eligible entities for purchasing locally and regionally sourced food. Additionally, the bill establishes guidelines for reimbursement amounts based on total enrollment and emphasizes equity in food sourcing, particularly favoring historically underserved farmers.

Further changes include the requirement for eligible entities to partner with external organizations for supplemental farm-to-school services, ensuring that at least 20% of the annual appropriation is allocated for this purpose. The bill also extends the deadline for the Department of Education to submit an annual report on the program from January 1, 2025, to January 1, 2026, detailing funds appropriated, reimbursement payments, and program effectiveness. To support these initiatives, the bill appropriates $1.5 million to the Department of Education and $1 million to the Department of Agriculture for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, with an additional $1 million earmarked for the following fiscal year. These provisions aim to enhance the program's effectiveness and improve collaboration between farmers and school districts.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 10-215m