CHAPTER 109

FARM-TO-SCHOOL PROGRAM

 

Sec.

10901.  Short title of chapter.

10902.  (Reserved).

10903.  Definitions.

10904.  Grant program.

10905.  Limitation on grants.

10906.  Applications and review of applications.

10907.  Disposition of grants.

10908.  Administration and contracting.

10909.  Regulations.

10910.  Funding.

 

Enactment.  Chapter 109 was added July 1, 2019, P.L.247, No.34, effective in 60 days.

Special Provisions in Appendix.  See section 3 of Act 34 of 2019 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to continuation of prior law.

§ 10901.  Short title of chapter.

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Farm-to-School Act.

§ 10902.  (Reserved).

(July 7, 2022, P.L.504, No.52, eff. imd.)

§ 10903.  Definitions.

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Commission."  The Commission for Agricultural Education Excellence established under section 1549.1 of the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949.

"Program."  The Farm-to-School Program established under this chapter.

§ 10904.  Grant program.

(a)  Authorization.--The department, in consultation with the commission and the Department of Health, is authorized to establish a program to award grants for the purpose of developing the Farm-to-School Program in this Commonwealth.

(b)  Eligibility.--Any school district, school, charter school, private school or center with prekindergarten classes, kindergarten classes, elementary classes or middle school classes through the eighth grade that participates in a Federal child nutrition program may submit an application to the department for funding a program.

(c)  Program requirements.--The program shall contain the following elements:

(1)  The procurement of food and food products or food-producing plants from a Pennsylvania farm.

(2)  Nutrition and agriculture education, including integration into regular classroom subjects.

(3)  Training of teachers, cafeteria staff and other educational staff on nutrition and agriculture education.

(4)  The inclusion of parents, caregivers and community groups in educational activities.

(5)  Field trips to Pennsylvania farms or other direct agricultural educational experiences which teach children about sources of food and Pennsylvania agriculture.

(d)  Program options.--An eligible applicant may use a grant awarded under this chapter to establish a school garden or pollinator habitat and may use the school garden or pollinator habitat to meet the requirements under subsection (c).

(July 7, 2022, P.L.504, No.52, eff. imd.)

 

Cross References.  Section 10904 is referred to in section 10906 of this title.

§ 10905.  Limitation on grants.

(a)  Matching.--Grant amounts shall be limited to 75% of the amount necessary to develop the program, not to exceed $15,000 annually, per school. Applicants may use in-kind support to match the amount granted.

(b)  Conditions.--The secretary may approve a grant in an amount less than the requested amount. The secretary may also impose restrictions or special conditions upon issuance of the grant.

§ 10906.  Applications and review of applications.

(a)  Submission.--Applications for grants shall be submitted in a manner and form as prescribed by the secretary.

(b)  Evaluation.--When reviewing applications, the secretary shall evaluate applications annually on the basis of all of the following:

(1)  The ability of the applicant to complete the program.

(2)  The ability of the applicant to incorporate all of the program requirements under section 10904(c) (relating to grant program).

(3)  The location of the school in an area where a high percentage of the children are eligible to receive free or reduced-price school meals.

(4)  The potential of the program to increase knowledge about nutrition and healthy eating habits for the children, their caregivers and the community.

(5)  The potential of the program to increase knowledge about Pennsylvania agriculture for the children, their caregivers and the community.

(6)  The ability of the applicant to procure Pennsylvania foods and products or plants for the applicant's program.

(7)  The potential of the program to increase markets for Pennsylvania agricultural producers.

(8)  The number of people who will be served by the program.

(9)  The ability of the applicant to sustain the program.

(10)  The overall performance of the applicant if a grant was received in a previous year.

(July 7, 2022, P.L.504, No.52, eff. imd.)

 

2022 Amendment.  Act 52 amended subsec. (b).

§ 10907.  Disposition of grants.

(a)  Written agreement.--The department may require a written agreement describing the terms and conditions of the grant.

(b)  Verification.--The department may require verification of grant expenditures.

(c)  Criteria.--The department may establish criteria under which the department may demand the return of all or a portion of the grant money.

§ 10908.  Administration and contracting.

Money appropriated for the program may be used for administrative purposes which execute the program, including contracting with one or more entities to carry out the provisions of this chapter.

§ 10909.  Regulations.

The department shall promulgate regulations as it deems necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter.

§ 10910.  Funding.

Grants shall be awarded under the program to the extent money is made available by the General Assembly.