# Local School Foods Expansion Act of 2021

This bill is designed to help schools buy more food from local farmers and producers instead of relying entirely on large national suppliers. The basic idea is to make it easier and more affordable for schools to source fresh fruits, vegetables, and other foods from farms and businesses in their own communities.

Right now, many schools struggle to buy local food because it can be more expensive and complicated than ordering from big distributors. This bill addresses those challenges by providing funding and support to help schools overcome the barriers. It would likely include grants or other financial assistance to help schools set up local purchasing programs, train staff on how to work with local suppliers, and cover any extra costs that come with buying from smaller, local producers. The bill also probably includes provisions to help connect schools with local farms and food businesses, making it easier for both sides to find each other and work together.

The people most directly affected would be school children, who could benefit from fresher, healthier meals. Local farmers and food producers would have new opportunities to sell their products to schools. School cafeteria staff would need to adapt to working with local suppliers, which might require learning new processes. Families might see improvements in school meal quality, and communities could benefit economically as money spent on food stays within the local area rather than going to large national corporations.

Local School Foods Expansion Act of 2021

Wyden, Ron

Local School Foods Expansion Act of 2021 This bill expands and otherwise revises a program to support state procurement of domestically grown unprocessed fruits and vegetables under the National School Lunch Program. Specifically, the bill expands the number of participating states from a maximum of 8 to a maximum of 14 and establishes additional requirements with respect to priorities, reporting, and evaluations, including with respect to socially disadvantaged populations and the program's economic impact. The bill provides funds for the program through FY2026.