Local School Foods Expansion Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7]
Introduced
Summary
Expands domestic procurement of unprocessed fruits and vegetables for school meals by turning a pilot into a full program, increasing participation, and funding technical support for states and farmers. This creates a permanent channel for U.S. growers to supply healthier produce to school meal programs.
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- Families and students: Funds aim to get more domestically grown unprocessed fruits and vegetables into school meals to support healthier school menus. The program carries mandatory funding to help buy and support distribution of that produce.
- Farmers and Tribal producers: State selection now favors commitment to small, local, socially disadvantaged, and Tribal agricultural producers, opening market opportunities and targeted outreach to those groups.
- States and school food authorities: The bill raises eligible states from 8 to up to 14 and allows two projects per state. It sets aside $10.0 million per year for administrative costs and technical assistance, guarantees each participating state at least $500,000 per year, and reserves $1.0 million per year for technical help to nonparticipating states if fewer than 14 join.
- Evaluation and reporting: Requires a 2‑year evaluation of quantities, costs, benefits to school food service, economic impact on producers, participation barriers, and vendor eligibility, and a 4‑year report to House and Senate agriculture committees.
*Adds mandatory spending of $25.0 million per year from 2026 through 2030.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More local fruits and veggies in schools
This bill would replace a small pilot with a full program to buy U.S.-grown, unprocessed fruits and vegetables for school meals. It would fund $25 million each year from 2026 through 2030. Of that, $10 million a year would cover state admin and help; each participating State would get at least $500,000. Up to 14 States could join, with two projects across one or more States; if fewer than 14 join, $1 million would help other States get ready. States would be chosen for supporting small, local, socially disadvantaged, and Tribal producers. USDA would evaluate results within 2 years and report to Congress within 4 years.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7]
WA • D
Cosponsors
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 9/9/2025
Smith (WA)
WA • D
Sponsored 9/9/2025
Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13]
MI • D
Sponsored 10/3/2025
Carson
IN • D
Sponsored 11/18/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov