HB53 Summary

• Establishes the Farm-To-School Procurement Act allowing Alabama schools to purchase unprocessed agricultural products directly from local farmers without competitive bidding when costs are equal to or less than the federal simplified acquisition threshold.

• Defines unprocessed agricultural products as those retaining their inherent character, including items that have been cooled, frozen, dried, washed, packaged, or minimally processed through size reduction or pasteurization.

• Authorizes use of federal school nutrition funds for farm-to-school purchases and requires the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries and State Department of Education to collaborate through a memorandum of understanding.

• Requires the Department of Agriculture to house a farm-to-school coordinator to identify local farmers and suppliers, create a searchable directory, and educate food service directors on procurement procedures.

• Mandates that at least 10 percent of local farmers, processors, and suppliers utilized in the program may be minority producers.