Bill to expand Farm to School and early‑care purchases laid over after farmers and school nutrition directors testify

Senator David Gustafson presented Senate File 1559 to fund and expand farm to school and early‑care purchasing through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. He told the committee the bill supports children and farmers by promoting local procurement and healthy food in schools and early‑care centers.

Testimony from Samantha Barthel of Snake River Farm, Brenda Rudolph of Raising a Farmer and Lorien Landowski (child nutrition director, Foley Public Schools) emphasized how purchases from local farms and processors provide nutrition and stable markets. Barthel said Snake River Farm supplied about 10,000 pounds of ground beef to school programs this year and that the program helps her keep year‑round employees because it provides off‑season revenue. Landowski said Foley serves roughly 980 breakfasts and 1,650 lunches per day and that farm‑to‑school and equipment grants enabled scratch cooking and local procurement for beef, produce, flour and maple syrup. She described school gardens and student engagement as part of the program’s benefits.

The bill also includes language to position Minnesota to receive federal funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) if allocated for local foods for schools and child care. MDA staff explained that the CCC award would not include administrative dollars from USDA, so the state bill allows the commissioner to use up to 7.5% of the federal funds and up to 7.5% of state funds for administration of the larger program total; agency staff said current state AGRI grant funding pays existing Farm to School administration but the CCC award would significantly increase the size of the program and administrative need.

After testimony and questions, the committee laid Senate File 1559 over for possible inclusion in omnibus work; no appropriation was adopted at the hearing.