Local Foods for Healthy Schools Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8]
Introduced
Summary
Expands federal support to buy and deliver locally produced foods to school meal programs. It creates a new Local Foods for Healthy Schools Program that lets state agencies get federal funds and run cooperative agreements to move local food from producers to school cafeterias.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Federal funding for school local foods
If enacted, the bill would provide $200 million per year from the Commodity Credit Corporation to run the program. It would also authorize $200 million per year in additional appropriations, subject to annual congressional approval. Not more than 0.50 percent of total yearly funds could be held for Federal administration.
How states get and reallocate funds
If enacted, the bill would split yearly program money so each State gets an equal share, but equal shares in total may not exceed 30 percent of funds. The remainder would go to States based on how many students receive school lunch or breakfast. The Secretary could take back funds an eligible unit did not obligate by the end of its performance period and reallocate them to States that can spend the money.
New local foods program for schools
If enacted, the bill would create the Local Foods for Healthy Schools Program. The Agriculture Secretary would make noncompetitive agreements with eligible state agencies. Covered producers would include farmers and related businesses in the State or within a 400-mile radius of the receiving school. Only schools that participate in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program could receive distributions.
Rules for using and reporting program funds
If enacted, the bill would require eligible units to either buy only local foods from covered producers and give them to interested schools, or give funds to school food authorities so they buy only local foods. An eligible unit could reserve no more than 5 percent of its funds for training, food safety certification for producers, oversight, and administration. Applicants would need to name a lead agency, list community partners, describe planned uses, and assure funds would supplement, not replace, State funding. Eligible units would have to report within 90 days after funds are spent, naming amounts, the covered producer, and the local foods purchased, and post the report on the State education website.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8]
MI • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15]
PA • R
Sponsored 6/25/2026
Rep. Evans, Gabe [R-CO-8]
CO • R
Sponsored 7/13/2026
Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24]
CA • D
Sponsored 7/13/2026
Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13]
IL • D
Sponsored 8/31/2026
Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3]
KS • D
Sponsored 8/31/2026
Rep. Kaptur, Marcy [D-OH-9]
OH • D
Sponsored 8/31/2026
Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
NY • R
Sponsored 8/31/2026
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 9/10/2026
Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21]
CA • D
Sponsored 9/10/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov