S. 2778: Local School Foods Expansion Act of 2025

This bill, titled the Local School Foods Expansion Act of 2025, aims to enhance the procurement of unprocessed fruits and vegetables for school meals in the United States. Here are the key features of the bill:

Program Introduction

The bill proposes to create a proactive program for schools to acquire domestically grown unprocessed fruits and vegetables, replacing the current pilot project approach. This change emphasizes a consistent and structured initiative rather than a temporary test.

Goals and Support for Local Farmers

The bill highlights the importance of supporting local and socially disadvantaged farmers. It outlines criteria for states to participate, which include showing commitment to:

• Support small, local, and socially disadvantaged farmers.
• Engage with Tribal agricultural producers and traditional foods.
• Serve children from socially disadvantaged backgrounds.

Program Structure and Funding

Under this program, each state is expected to implement projects that meet specific criteria, including the number of projects and the diversity of produce sourced. Here are the funding details:

• A total of $25 million is appropriated for each fiscal year from 2026 to 2030 to support the program.
• Of this, $10 million is earmarked for administrative expenses and technical assistance to help facilitate program participation.
• Each participating state must receive at least $500,000 annually to support their program activities.

Evaluation and Reporting

The bill mandates regular evaluations to assess the impact of the program. This will include:

• The quantity and cost of fruits and vegetables purchased.
• The benefits provided to school meal services.
• The economic implications for agricultural producers in the state.
• Identifying any barriers faced by producers and schools regarding program participation.

Reports on these findings are to be submitted to congressional agriculture committees within specific time frames.

Encouragement of Participation

A portion of the funds will also be reserved for assisting states that choose not to participate in the program to help them meet the eligibility requirements in the future, aiming to increase overall participation across the country.

Summary of Changes

The bill seeks to streamline and enhance school nutrition programs by ensuring stable, quality, and healthy food options sourced from local producers while promoting equity in agricultural support across varying community backgrounds.

Relevant Companies

• TSN (Tyson Foods, Inc.) - As a major supplier of food products, Tyson may be affected by changes in sourcing requirements, potentially influencing their procurement strategies.
• SJM (The J.M. Smucker Company) - Their product offerings could be impacted by shifts in food sourcing preferences among schools.