HB3263eng 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB3263 Engrossed LRB102 10713 CMG 16042 b

AN ACT concerning agriculture.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Farm Fresh Schools Program Act is amended by changing Sections 10 and 15 as follows:

(105 ILCS 124/10)

Sec. 10. Farm Fresh Schools Program. The Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with the State Board of Education and the Department of Public Health, shall create the Farm Fresh Schools Program. The intent of the Program is to reduce obesity and improve nutrition and public health, as well as strengthen local agricultural economies by increasing access to and promoting the consumption of locally grown fruits, and vegetables, and minimally processed fresh foods in schools and increasing physical activities and programs that promote pupil wellness.

(Source: P.A. 96-153, eff. 1-1-10.)

(105 ILCS 124/15)

Sec. 15. Grants; matching funds.

(a) The Department of Agriculture and the State Board of Education shall jointly administer a process to review grant proposals and award grants on a competitive basis to eligible applicants to implement the Farm Fresh Schools Program.

(b) The first 6 grants awarded pursuant to the Farm Fresh Schools Program shall be awarded in 6 different counties, including 3 urban counties and 3 rural counties with a significant agricultural economy.

(c) Beginning with the 2021-2022 school year, funds from the Farm Fresh Schools Program Fund or from other funding sources shall be used to match $1 for every $3 a school district spends to purchase produce or minimally processed fresh foods directly from a farmer, farmers' cooperative, farmers' market, or local food hub in this State, up to a maximum reimbursement of $1,000 per school district.

(Source: P.A. 96-153, eff. 1-1-10.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect July 1, 2021.