HB 1833 -- Farm to Institution Initiative

Sponsor:  Munzlinger

This bill establishes the Farm to Institution Initiative in the
Agriculture Business Development Division within the Department
of Agriculture to improve public awareness of and access to
agricultural products produced or processed by small farmers and
small agribusinesses, promote a sustainable Missouri food system,
and strengthen the state's economy.  The division may coordinate
with the departments of Elementary and Secondary Education,
Health and Senior Services, Corrections, Mental Health, and
Economic Development to promote the economic and health benefits
of the initiative.  In its main provisions, the bill:

(1)  Requires the division to provide small farmers and small
agribusinesses with financial and technical assistance in the
branding, marketing, and distribution of locally grown
agricultural products;

(2)  Establishes the Farm to Institution Program to reduce
obesity, improve nutrition and public health, and strengthen
local agricultural economies by increasing access to and
promoting the consumption of locally grown foods;

(3)  Establishes the Farm Fresh Schools Program to link schools
with locally grown food; develop nutritional awareness, healthy
eating habits, and physical activity for the overall wellness of
students; provide hands-on learning activities in basic life
skills; emphasize the purchase of locally grown foods by schools;
establish specified goals regarding these purchases; identify
existing resources for processing foods locally and funding
sources for the expansion of local processing facilities; and
allow for a percentage price preference for locally produced or
processed food;

(4)  Establishes the Farm to Cafeteria Program to build
partnerships to reform state institution food procurement
policies to facilitate the purchase of locally grown foods by
linking local food producers and processors with institutions;
emphasize the purchase of locally grown foods by institutions;
establish specified goals regarding these purchases; identify
existing resources for processing foods locally and funding
sources for the expansion of local processing facilities; and
allow for a percentage price preference for locally produced or
processed food;

(5)  Creates the Farm to Institution Initiative Fund consisting
of moneys appropriated for the program, gifts, bequests, or
donations to be used solely for the administration of the
programs; and

(6)  Requires grants to be awarded from the fund to eligible
participants on a competitive bid process to implement the Farm
to Institution Program with the first six grants awarded based on
need in counties with a significant agricultural economy.

The provisions of the bill will expire six years from the
effective date.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated September 14, 2010 at 3:12 pm