Earlier this spring, we shared how Assembly Bill 1731, the California Healthy Food Procurement Fund Program, is working to strengthen the connection between California farms and school cafeterias (read full blog here). By creating a dedicated fund and making it easier for schools to purchase from local farmers and regional food hubs, the bill aims to bring more fresh, California-grown food to students while creating meaningful market opportunities for family farms.
We're excited to share another encouraging update:
Last week, AB 1731 passed the Senate Agriculture Committee with a unanimous bipartisan vote, bringing the bill one step closer to becoming law. While Farmer Al was in the orchard during one of our busiest weeks of harvest, Frog Hollow Farm was represented in Sacramento by Lael Gerhart, who attended the hearing and spoke in support of the bill on behalf of our farm, alongside Kat Soltanmorad, Director of Food & Nutrition Services for Tahoe Truckee Unified School District.
AB 1731's path to the Senate has followed the normal course for California legislation. It first passed the Assembly Agriculture Committee, then moved to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, where its costs were evaluated, before passing a full vote on the Assembly Floor. From there, it crossed over to the Senate, where that same process begins again, starting with the Agriculture Committee.
Seeing the continued bipartisan support for AB 1731 is an encouraging reminder that there is growing recognition of the value of connecting California farms with California schools. We know from our own experience working with school food programs that when students have access to fresh, locally grown fruit, everyone benefits. Students enjoy nutritious, flavorful food, schools gain greater access to local producers, and farmers have new opportunities to reach their communities.
The hearing also highlighted the broad coalition behind this effort. Along with Frog Hollow Farm and Tahoe Truckee Unified School District, organizations including the Office of Kat Taylor, the Environmental Working Group (EWG), American Farmland Trust, and Fullwell voiced their support for AB 1731. It's inspiring to see farmers, educators, nonprofits, and community leaders coming together around the shared goal of expanding access to fresh, locally grown food in California schools.
The bill will now move to the Senate Appropriations Committee, where it is scheduled for a hearing on August 26. If it advances, the next stop will be a vote on the Senate Floor, followed by the Governor's desk in September for consideration.
While there are still a few important steps ahead, we're grateful for the momentum this bill has continued to build. Thank you to Assemblymember Lori Wilson, CCOF, and the many farmers, educators, and advocates who have worked tirelessly to move this effort forward.
We'll continue to keep you updated as AB 1731 progresses through the final stages of the legislative process. Thank you for following along and supporting our shared vision of bringing more fresh, local food to California schools!
Top photo: Lael Gerhart with Laeticia Benador, Policy Manager at CCOF.
Middle photo: Lael Gerhart with Kat Soltanmorad, Director of Food & Nutrition Services for the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District.
Lower photo: Frog Hollow Farm peaches served in yogurt parfaits at the Mt. Diablo Unified School District.