Local Food for Local Schools Bill

​​We are so pleased to share that HB 1678, the Local Food for Local Schools Reimbursement Pilot Program bill, was signed into law by Governor Sununu on Friday, July 12, 2024. Applications for schools to participate in the program will be available later this Fall 2024. 

Farm to School programming isn't just great for kids — it benefits farmers and communities too! Implementing farm to school activities teaches healthy eating habits, improves food security, and increases engagement from students, parents, educators, and the community. It also has an impact on economic development, reduces food waste, and contributes to a more sustainable food system. Read more about the benefits from the National Farm to School Network here.

Please contact Stacey Purslow, Coordinator of the NH Farm to School Program, at stacey.purslow@unh.edu with questions and for more information. 

• Who & What

  HB1678-FN, the Local Food for Local Schools Reimbursement Pilot Program, will establish a local food reimbursement pilot program for New Hampshire schools. In partnership with the NH Farm to School Network, the NH Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food is requesting $241,000 from the state legislature to establish a 2-year pilot program aiming to incentivize New Hampshire’s schools to purchase locally grown, caught, or produced foods from New Hampshire and New England farmers, fishermen, and producers through reimbursements. 

  Schools interested in the program will submit an application, receive a reimbursement allotment, and be reimbursed for all qualifying food purchases at the following rate: $1 for every $3 spent on New Hampshire grown, caught, or produced foods.

• Why

  The NH Farm to School Network estimates the Local Food for Local Schools Reimbursement Pilot Program will annually inject up to $420,000 federal and state funds directly into New Hampshire’s farm and food economy. 

  Through the reimbursement program, farm to school advocates, parents, teachers, farmers, and community members believe that by having local fruits, vegetables, and other fresh foods served in the cafeteria New Hampshire will see a rise in: 

  • Maintain and build school and farmer relationships that will allow for less supply chain disruption and increase food security 

  • Profitability for New Hampshire farmers, fishermen, and food producers, as they gain access to a new market for their products 

  • Educational opportunities for New Hampshire students about the variety of fruits, vegetables, and other products grown and produced both locally and regionally, as well as career opportunities in the agricultural and hospitality sectors.

• The Process

  1. A New Hampshire school that participates in the National School Lunch Program submits a Local Food for Local Schools Reimbursement program application to the NH Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food. 

  2. The Local Food for Local Schools Reimbursement program selection committee approves the school’s application and, through the reimbursement formula, the NH Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food allots funds to the school based on the school’s total enrollment and utilization of the National School Lunch Program. 

  3. Once the school is notified with the maximum dollar amount they will be reimbursed for, the school food service department can start purchasing locally grown, caught, or produced foods from New Hampshire and New England farmers, fishermen, and producers. 

  4. To receive the reimbursement funds, the school submits a copy of all invoices for eligible purchases on a monthly basis until the entirety of their allotted reimbursement funds has been reached. 

• Purchase Rules & Requirements

  1. Foods purchased as part of the Local Food for Local Schools Reimbursement program shall originate in New Hampshire. The place of origin shall be confirmed through self-attestation from the originating producer, or any other means required by the federal government or NH Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food. 

  2. Qualifying foods can be purchased from a variety of sources, including food hubs, direct purchases from farms, and purchases through conventional distributors.  

  3. Eligible foods include processed dairy, fish, pork, beef, poultry, eggs, fruits, vegetables, cider, and maple syrup. Minimally processed proteins and minimally processed produce are also included. Fluid milk is not a qualifying food for this program.  

  4. All food purchased through the program shall comply with National School Lunch Program guidelines. 

  5. All food purchased may be served in the school breakfast, school lunch, or fresh fruit and vegetable programs. 

  6. Only school districts participating in the National School Lunch Program are eligible to apply to the reimbursement program. 

  7. Reimbursement funds may be used to purchase food or kitchen equipment specifically for use in processing, cooking, storing and serving local food. 

• Roles and Responsibilities

  The NH Department Agriculture, Markets and Food and NH Farm to School will be responsible for: 

  • Assembling a selection committee made up of six qualified individuals with knowledge of New Hampshire agriculture, experience with school food service, school nutrition, or farm-to-school processes 

  • Establishing program guidelines, including a formula to determine the reimbursement allotment for schools, and maximum/minimum reimbursement amounts based on total student enrollment for each school district and participation in National School Breakfast and Lunch Program 

  • Contracting with NH Farm to School to support program coordination and management 

  The NH Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food, NH Farm to School, and the Local Food for Local Schools Reimbursement Program selection committee will be responsible for: 

  • Administering an open grant request for applications (RFA) process for the pilot program 

  • Review program applications and selecting schools with the goal of awarding funds to one school from each county in the state and ensuring a variety of school sizes, geographic locations, and socioeconomic backgrounds 

  • Schools participating in the program will be responsible for: 

  • Participating in the program for both years and spending their entire yearly allotment  

  • Submitting invoices monthly 

  • Serving food during school breakfast, school lunch, or fresh fruit and vegetable programs 

• Watch

  Local Food for Local Schools Reimbursement Program Information Session and Live Q & A with State Legislators (January 2021)

  Farm to School in New Hampshire is Going Beyond the Classroom (NH Food Alliance's October 2021 Network Café)

  Farm to School stories from schools across the region (Northeast Farm to School Collaborative)

  Sea To School: A Lunch Voyage

  Growing food in the Farm to School Program in Somersworth NH 2018