State officials said every dollar invested through the grant program generates an estimated $2.10 in local economic activity by helping schools purchase more food from nearby farms and producers. Designed by Magnific

SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - California's Farm to School Program will continue permanently under legislation signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, securing ongoing support for school meals made with California-grown ingredients and nutrition education in classrooms.

Senate Bill 172 places the program into state law after it was first launched through the 2021-22 state budget. State officials said the program connects schools with California farmers, strengthens local food systems and provides students with hands-on agricultural and nutrition education.

The governor's office said the state has served nearly 3.5 billion free school meals since 2021 through California's Universal Meals Program, which guarantees free breakfast and lunch to every public school student regardless of income.

Since 2021, the Farm to School Incubator Grant Program has invested $86 million in 375 projects, reaching about 49% of California public school students, according to the governor's office. The program is administered by the California Department of Food and Agriculture's Office of Farm to Fork.

State officials said every dollar invested through the grant program generates an estimated $2.10 in local economic activity by helping schools purchase more food from nearby farms and producers.

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross said the program helps students develop healthy eating habits while creating consistent demand for small farms.

"Farm to school programming helps students build lifelong relationships with nutritious food while providing consistent demand needed to sustain local small farmers," Ross said.

According to the governor's office, 80% of Farm to School Incubator grant recipients are Title I schools and all producer grant recipients are small, midsize or socially and economically disadvantaged farmers using climate-smart, organic or regenerative agricultural practices.

The governor's office highlighted several projects supported by the program, including Los Angeles Unified School District, which is on pace to purchase $4.7 million in locally produced food during the 2025-26 school year. Davis-based SPORK Food Hub expanded from serving four school districts to more than 40, while Chico's Burns Blossom Farm used grant funding to improve production and expand school partnerships.

The legislation comes as California continues broader efforts to improve school nutrition through universal meals, restrictions on certain food additives and increased access to locally grown foods in public schools.