Lawmakers hear support and implementation questions for Keystone Fresh Act to expand Pennsylvania produce in school meals

Harrisburg — Lawmakers heard broad support and detailed implementation questions for House Bill 1768, the Keystone Fresh Act, at a joint House Agriculture & Rural Affairs and House Education Committee informational hearing. Representative Burgos, the bill sponsor, said the measure is designed to increase Pennsylvania-grown produce in school meals, support family and veteran farmers, and connect students with where their food comes from. "More fresh, local, and healthy food in our cafeterias will make lunches more desirable and nutritious and ensure that more tax dollars stay right here in our communities," Burgos said.

State officials from the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture described existing farm-to-school efforts and the practical limits schools and producers face. Vonda Grama, State Director of Child Nutrition Programs at the Department of Education, said Pennsylvania schools served roughly 192,000,000 lunches and 93,000,000 breakfasts in the 2024–25 school year and that participating in farm-to-school activities has grown in recent years. Grama noted the department’s culinary trainings, mini grants, the PA Harvest of the Month resources and an LFPI study that found local programs…