BILL NUMBER: AB 909	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  JANUARY 12, 2012
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  JANUARY 9, 2012
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  JANUARY 4, 2012

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Alejo

                        FEBRUARY 17, 2011

   An act to add Article 11.6 (commencing with Section 49566) to
Chapter 9 of Part 27 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Education Code,
relating to pupil nutrition.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 909, as amended, Alejo. Pupil nutrition: Farm to School
Program.
   Existing law requires the State Department of Education to ensure
that the nutrition levels of meals served to schoolage children
pursuant to the federal National School Lunch Act be of the highest
quality and greatest nutritional value possible.
   This bill would authorize a school district to submit an
application to the State Department of Education for funding under
the Farm to School Program if 80% of the school district's
expenditure for fresh produce for use in its food service program is
derived from California produce, as defined. The bill would require
the State Department of Education to reimburse a school district that
purchases California produce in the prescribed quantity  of
 $0.05 for every meal the district serves as part of the federal
National School Lunch or School Breakfast Programs  ,  
or both  . The bill would require the Department of Food and
Agriculture to consult with the State Department of Education for the
purpose of assisting school districts with meeting the California
produce requirement  ,   and, at a minimum,
 identify the seasons, sources, and suppliers of California
produce  ,  and help small farmers collaborate with
one another to supply the large quantities of produce demanded by
school districts. The bill would require the State Department of
Education to develop strategies for school districts that would
result in more California produce use in school meal programs. The
bill would authorize the State Board of Education to adopt any rules
and regulations necessary for the implementation of this program.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Article 11.6 (commencing with Section 49566) is added
to Chapter 9 of Part 27 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Education
Code, to read:

      Article 11.6.  Farm to School Program


   49566.  (a) If 80 percent of a school district's expenditure for
fresh produce for use in its food service program is derived from
California produce, the school district may submit an application to
the department for funding under the Farm to School Program. The
school district shall certify in the application that it has complied
with the requirements of this section.
   (b) The department shall reimburse an eligible school district
five cents ($0.05) for every meal the district serves as part of the
federal National School Lunch or School Breakfast Programs  , or
both  .
   (c) A school district shall expend the funds received pursuant to
this section to purchase California produce.
   49566.1.  For the purpose of implementing this article, the
department may accept contributions of money and assistance from any
public or private source and agree to conditions placed on the
contributions if those conditions are not inconsistent with the
duties of the department.
   49566.2.  The Department of Food and Agriculture shall consult
with the department for the purpose of assisting school districts
with meeting the requirement set forth in Section 49566 and shall do
all of the following  , at a minimum,  to provide that
assistance:
   (a) Identify the seasons, sources, and suppliers of California
produce.
   (b) Help small farmers collaborate with one another to supply the
large quantities of California produce demanded by school districts.
   49566.3.  The department shall develop strategies for school
districts, including , but not limited to,  forward
contracting and negotiating competitive prices, that would result in
more California produce use in school meal programs.
   49566.4.  The state board may adopt any rules and regulations
necessary for the implementation of this article.
   49566.5.  For purposes of this article, "California produce" means
fruits, vegetables, and nuts grown in California  , as
defined in Section 43100 of the Food and Agricultural Code 
.