The bill establishes the Farm to School Local Food Procurement Reimbursement Grant Program in New Jersey, aimed at reimbursing eligible school districts for costs associated with sourcing and procuring local foods for students. With an appropriation of $6,500,000, the program seeks to enhance local food procurement practices in schools, ensuring that students have access to local food options during meal periods. To qualify for the grants, school districts must provide subsidized meals and meet specific eligibility criteria. The Secretary of Agriculture will administer the program, which will award grants based on a competitive application process, with funding amounts varying according to district size.

Under the program, small districts can receive grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000, medium districts from $20,000 to $125,000, and large districts from $44,000 to $250,000. The bill mandates that at least 80% of the grant funds be allocated for local food procurement, while up to 20% can be used for equipment and staff training. It emphasizes sourcing food from small or mid-sized family farms and socially disadvantaged farmers, particularly in food desert areas. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for the management of grant funds, requiring documentation and reporting, and prohibits the rollover of unspent funds to the next year, except under specific hardship conditions.