This bill makes it easier for schools across the country to buy fresh fruits and vegetables grown by American farmers. Right now, only 8 states can participate in a federal program that helps schools purchase locally-grown, unprocessed produce for school lunches. This bill expands that program to allow up to 14 states to join, meaning more schools in more places will have access to fresher, domestically-grown food for their students.

Beyond just adding more states, the bill also requires the program to focus on helping socially disadvantaged communities and to track how the program affects the economy—like whether it helps local farmers and rural communities. The government will need to report regularly on how well the program is working and what impact it's having. The bill provides funding to keep the program running through 2030, giving states and schools time to plan and build these local food supply relationships.

In practical terms, this means students in more states could be eating fresher produce at lunch, local farmers would have more opportunities to sell to schools, and there will be better information about whether this approach actually helps communities and supports American agriculture.

Local School Foods Expansion Act of 2025

Wyden, Ron

Local School Foods Expansion Act of 2025 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. In addition,&nbsp;the bill&nbsp;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 FY2030.