Pupil nutrition: Farm to School Program.

Existing law requires the State Department of Education to ensure that the nutrition levels of meals served to schoolage children pursuant to the federal National School Lunch Act be of the highest quality and greatest nutritional value possible. This bill would authorize a school district to submit an application to the State Department of Education for funding under the Farm to School Program if 80% of the school district's expenditure for fresh produce for use in its food service program is derived from California produce, as defined. The bill would require the State Department of Education to reimburse a school district that purchases California produce in the prescribed quantity of $0.05 for every meal the district serves as part of the federal National School Lunch or School Breakfast Programs, or both. The bill would require the Department of Food and Agriculture to consult with the State Department of Education for the purpose of assisting school districts with meeting the California produce requirement and, at a minimum, identify the seasons, sources, and suppliers of California produce and help small farmers collaborate with one another to supply the large quantities of produce demanded by school districts. The bill would require the State Department of Education to develop strategies for school districts that would result in more California produce use in school meal programs. The bill would authorize the State Board of Education to adopt any rules and regulations necessary for the implementation of this program.