DOA:......Hutter, BB0465 - Farm to fork program
For 2025-2027 Budget -- Not Ready For Introduction
An Act ...; relating to: the budget.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
AGRICULTURE
Farm to fork program
The bill creates a farm to fork program, similar to the existing farm to school program, to connect entities, other than school districts, that have cafeterias to nearby farms to provide locally produced foods in meals and snacks, to help the public develop healthy eating habits, to provide nutritional and agricultural education, and to improve farmers’ incomes and direct access to markets. Under the bill, DATCP may provide grants to entities for these purposes.
For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. 20.115 (4) (at) of the statutes is created to read:
20.115 (4) (at) Farm to fork program. Biennially, the amounts in the schedule for farm to fork grants under s. 93.63.
****Note: This Section involves a change in an appropriation that must be reflected in the revised schedule in s. 20.005, stats.
Section 2. 93.63 of the statutes is created to read:
93.63 Farm to fork program. (1) Definition. In this section, “farm to fork program” means a program to connect entities that are not school districts and that have cafeterias to nearby farms to provide locally produced fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, and other nutritious, locally produced foods in meals and snacks; to help the public develop healthy eating habits; to provide nutritional and agricultural education; and to improve farmers’ incomes and direct access to markets.
(2) Grants. (a) The department may award grants from the appropriation under s. 20.115 (4) (at) to businesses, universities, hospitals, and other entities that are not school districts and that have cafeterias for the creation and expansion of farm to fork programs. The department shall give preference to proposals that are innovative or that provide models that other entities can adopt.
(b) In awarding grants under this section, the department shall promote agricultural development and farm profitability by supporting the development and adoption of practices and agribusiness opportunities that involve the production of value-added agricultural products. For purposes of this paragraph, “value-added agricultural product” means a farm product that satisfies any of the following:
1. The product has undergone a change in physical state.
2. The product is produced in a manner that enhances its value.
3. The product is physically segregated in a manner that enhances its value.
4. The product is a source of farm-based or ranch-based renewable energy.
5. The product is aggregated and marketed as a locally produced farm product.
(c) The department may award grants under this subsection for projects that do any of the following:
1. Create, expand, diversify, or promote production, processing, marketing, and distribution of food produced in this state for sale to entities in this state other than school districts.
2. Create, expand, or renovate facilities, including purchases of equipment for the facilities, that would ensure the use of food produced in this state in locations in this state other than schools.
3. Provide, expand, or promote training for food service personnel, farmers, and distributors.
4. Provide, expand, or promote nutritional and agricultural education.
(d) The department shall consult with interested persons to establish grant priorities for each fiscal year.
(3) Reports. At least annually, the department shall report to the legislature under s. 13.172 (2) and to the secretary on the needs and opportunities for farm to fork programs.
(4) Rules. The department may promulgate rules to administer this section.
(end)
