PRINTER'S NO. 1910

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

No.

1514

Session of

2019

INTRODUCED BY HERSHEY, BURGOS, CAUSER, PASHINSKI, BERNSTINE,

A. DAVIS, T. DAVIS, DeLISSIO, FEE, FREEMAN, GREINER,

HANBIDGE, HICKERNELL, M. K. KELLER, KINSEY, LONGIETTI,

Statutes, providing for the Farm-to-School Program; and

making a related repeal.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. Title 3 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes

is amended by adding a chapter to read:

Sec.

10901. Short title of chapter.

10908. Administration and contracting.

10909. Regulations.

10910. Funding.

§ 10901. Short title of chapter.

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

School Act.

§ 10902. Findings and declarations.

The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:

(1) Agriculture is this Commonwealth's leading economic

enterprise. Unfortunately, the percentage of our population

constitutes a healthy diet. Thus, it is vital to inform the

future citizens of this Commonwealth about good eating

habits, while demonstrating the importance of the role of

local farms in achieving this crucial goal.

(2) The purposes of this program are to educate

prekindergartners through fifth graders and their families

about the importance of choosing healthy, locally produced

foods and increase awareness of Pennsylvania agriculture.

Furthermore, the initiative should aid Pennsylvania farmers

in gaining access to new markets within this Commonwealth.

in the curriculum of primary and secondary education

institutions.

(ii) Focusing on locally grown foods provided from

Pennsylvania farms.

(iii) Equipping teachers and other educators to

incorporate nutrition and agriculture education into

their instruction.

(iv) Providing for new direct marketing

opportunities for Pennsylvania farmers.

(v) Providing for family and community involvement,

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.

classes, kindergarten classes or elementary school classes

through the fifth grade in this Commonwealth.

(b) Eligibility.--Any school district, charter school or

private school with prekindergarten classes, a kindergarten

program or elementary school classes through the fifth grade may

submit an application to the department for funding.

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

following elements:

(1) A list of Pennsylvania farmers who have agreed to

supply food products from Pennsylvania farms, verifiable by

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.

§ 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

(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.

(3) The location of the school in an area where a high

about Pennsylvania agriculture for the children, their

caregivers and the community.

(6) The ability of the applicant to procure locally

grown foods for the applicant's program.

(7) The potential of the program to increase markets for

local 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

(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.

Section 2. Repeals are as follows:

(1) The General Assembly declares that the repeal under

paragraph (2) is necessary to effectuate the addition of 3

Pa.C.S. Ch. 109.

(2) The act of November 29, 2006 (P.L.1621, No.184),

known as the Healthy Farms and Healthy Schools Act, is

repealed.

(2) The addition of 3 Pa.C.S. Ch. 109 is a continuation

of the act of November 29, 2006 (P.L.1621, No.184), known as

the Healthy Farms and Healthy Schools Act. The following

apply:

109, all activities initiated under the Healthy Farms and

Healthy Schools Act shall continue and remain in full

force and effect and may be completed under 3 Pa.C.S. Ch.

109. Orders, regulations, rules and decisions which were

made under the Healthy Farms and Healthy Schools Act and

which are in effect on the effective date of section 2 of

this act shall remain in full force and effect until

revoked, vacated or modified under 3 Pa.C.S. Ch. 109.

Contracts, obligations and collective bargaining

agreements entered into under the Healthy Farms and

Statutes and is not intended to change or affect the

legislative intent, judicial construction or

administration and implementation of the Healthy Farms

and Healthy Schools Act.

(iii) Subparagraph (ii) does not apply to the

addition of the following provisions:

(A) 3 Pa.C.S. § 10903.

(B) 3 Pa.C.S. § 10904(a) and (b).

(C) 3 Pa.C.S. § 10907(c).

Section 4. This act shall take effect in 60 days.