Farm to School Act of 2023

The Farm to School Act of 2023 expands federal support for programs connecting schools with local farms. It increases annual funding for the Patrick Leahy farm to school program from $5 million to $10 million, requiring schools (now called "eligible institutions") to prioritize procurement from local agricultural producers and integrate food/nutrition education. The bill specifically prioritizes projects serving children from socially disadvantaged backgrounds and Tribal communities, including traditional foods from Tribal producers. It also mandates annual reviews to identify and address barriers to local food procurement, such as regulatory costs and market access for small-scale or Tribal farmers.