SB712: Bill Text

SB712,,3 Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This bill creates a farm to fork program, similar to the existing farm to school program, to connect entities that are not school districts and 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, the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection must provide grants to entities for these purposes.

The bill also provides funding for DATCP to award grants for creating and expanding farm to school programs and requires that in awarding grants under the farm to school programs, DATCP must give preference to school districts that have a high percentage of students who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals under federal law. Current law requires DATCP to promote farm to school programs, which connect schools with nearby farms to provide children with locally produced foods in school meals, and DATCP must give preference in awarding farm to school grants to innovative proposals or to proposals that provide models for other school districts.

For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

SB712,,4 The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

SB712,1 Section 1. 20.005 (3) (schedule) of the statutes: at the appropriate place, insert the following amounts for the purposes indicated:

SB712,2 Section 2. 20.115 (4) (aw) of the statutes is created to read:

SB712,,7 20.115 (4) (aw) Farm to fork program. The amounts in the schedule for the farm to fork program under s. 93.495.

SB712,3 Section 3. 93.49 (3) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 93.49 (3) (a) (intro.) and amended to read:

SB712,,9 93.49 (3) (a) (intro.) From the appropriation under s. 20.115 (4) (as), the department shall provide grants to school districts, in coordination with the department of public instruction, and to nonprofit organizations, farmers, and any other entities for the creation and expansion of farm to school programs. The department shall give preference to the following types of proposals:

SB712,,10 2. Proposals that are innovative or that provide models that other school districts can adopt.

SB712,4 Section 4. 93.49 (3) (a) 1. of the statutes is created to read:

SB712,,12 93.49 (3) (a) 1. Proposals from school districts in which a high percentage of pupils satisfy the income eligibility criteria under 42 USC 1758 (b) (1) for a free or reduced-price meal.

SB712,5 Section 5. 93.495 of the statutes is created to read:

SB712,,14 93.495 Farm to fork program. (1) Definitions. In this section:

SB712,,15 (a) “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.

SB712,,16 (b) “Value-added agricultural product” means a farm product that satisfies any of the following:

SB712,,17 1. The product has undergone a change in physical state.

SB712,,18 2. The product is produced in a manner that enhances its value.

SB712,,19 3. The product is physically segregated in a manner that enhances its value.

SB712,,20 4. The product is a source of farm-based or ranch-based renewable energy.

SB712,,21 5. The product is aggregated and marketed as a locally produced farm product.

SB712,,22 (2) Grants. (a) The department may award grants from the appropriation under s. 20.115 (4) (aw) 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.

SB712,,23 (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.

SB712,,24 (c) The department may award grants under this subsection for projects that do any of the following:

SB712,,25 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.

SB712,,26 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.

SB712,,27 3. Provide, expand, or promote training for food service personnel, farmers, and distributors.

SB712,,28 4. Provide, expand, or promote nutritional and agricultural education.

SB712,,29 (d) The department shall consult with interested persons to establish grant priorities for each fiscal year.

SB712,,30 (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.

SB712,,31 (4) Rules. The department may promulgate rules to administer this section.

SB712,6 Section 6. Nonstatutory provisions.

SB712,,33 (1) Farm to fork program. The authorized FTE positions for the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection are increased by 1.0 GPR positions, to be funded from the appropriation under s. 20.115 (4) (aw), for the purpose of administering the farm to fork program.

SB712,7 Section 7. Fiscal changes.

SB712,,35 (1) Farm to school grants. In the schedule under s. 20.005 (3) for the appropriation to the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection under s. 20.115 (4) (as), the dollar amount for fiscal year 2023-24 is increased by $200,000 and the dollar amount for fiscal year 2024-25 is increased by $200,000 for the purpose for which the appropriation is made.

SB712,,36 (end)