HB2822 - 502R - House Bill Summary

House of Representatives

HB 2822

schools; agriculture; study

Sponsors: Representatives Pancrazi, Farley, Saldate, et al.

X	Committee on Agriculture and Water
	Caucus and COW
	House Engrossed

Overview

HB 2822 creates a joint legislative study committee to evaluate farm to school programs.

History

Farm-to-school programs seek to connect local schools to local farms. Objectives of farm-to-school programs vary from community to community, but can include serving healthy meals in school cafeterias, improving student nutrition, providing agriculture, health and nutrition education opportunities, and supporting local and regional farmers. Current examples of farm-to-school programs in Arizona include the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension's Agricultural Literacy Program, and the Litchfield Elementary District Farm to School Program. Farm-to-school programs often exist in conjunction with federal efforts to regulate school meals.

Provisions

· Creates a 10 member joint legislative study committee on farm-to-school programs.

· Requires the proposed committee to evaluate methods to facilitate the purchase of locally grown produce by schools, school districts, and charter schools.

· Instructs the committee to evaluate methods to encourage educational opportunities at school sites through school and community gardens and field trips to provide students a greater understanding of where their food comes from and what it takes to produce that food.

· Requires the committee to evaluate mechanisms and recommend proposed legislation to address any administrative, logistical or legal barriers that deter or prevent school districts and charter schools from purchasing locally grown foods.

· Instructs the committee to consider the need for a full-time position at the Arizona Department of Agriculture to facilitate the exchange of information and purchases between farmers and schools.

· Requires the committee to submit a report regarding the committee’s activities and recommendations for legislative action on or before December 31, 2013 to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House and provide a copy of the report to the Secretary of State.

· Allows the committee to use the services and expertise of the staff and facilities of the House, the Senate and the universities under the jurisdiction of the Arizona Board of Regents.

· Repeals the study committee from and after September 30, 2014.

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· Fiftieth Legislature