HB670 Summary

• Establishes the Farm-To-School Procurement Act requiring coordination between the State Department of Education and Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries through a memorandum of understanding.

• State Department of Education shall investigate procurement procedures, educate food service directors on small purchase thresholds, implement food preparation training, and encourage inclusion of local farmers and processors in purchasing.

• Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries shall designate a farm-to-school point person, promote job creation around farm initiatives, and maintain a voluntary web-based directory of farmers searchable by location.

• Amends Section 16-13B-2 of the Code of Alabama 1975 to exempt purchases of fresh unprocessed agricultural products costing $100,000 or less from competitive bidding requirements for local boards of education.

• Specifies that at least 10 percent of local farmers, processors, and suppliers utilized in providing unprocessed agricultural products may be minority producers; act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval.