This bill establishes a collaborative initiative called "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food" between the Departments of Agriculture and Education, which must be implemented within 180 days of the bill's effective date. The initiative focuses on enhancing the procurement and use of locally and regionally produced foods in school meal programs, thereby increasing student access to these foods. Key components of the initiative include raising awareness about local food availability, creating a centralized online resource for local food procurement information, recognizing local food producers, and modifying existing regulations to improve procurement arrangements between schools and local producers.

Additionally, the bill introduces new definitions for "food service management company" and "school food authority" to clarify the roles of entities involved in school meal services. The Secretary of Agriculture and the Commissioner of Education are responsible for adopting necessary rules and regulations to ensure that local and regional food procurement aligns with federal guidelines. The overarching goal is to strengthen connections between local food producers and school meal programs, promoting the consumption of locally sourced foods among students, which in turn supports local economies and enhances community health and sustainability.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 18A:33-3.2