CA AB2500

Establishes the Farm to Hospital Grant Pilot Program under the Office of Farm to Fork to award competitive grants to hospitals, research hospitals, and the University of California to serve patients meals made from California-sourced agricultural products.

Requires grant recipients to develop proposals including meal preparation plans, nutrition standards, staff needs, procurement strategies, and data collection methods for evaluating program outcomes.

Permits grant funds to be used for facility improvements, kitchen equipment, menu planning, staffing, cost-sharing for product purchases, and outreach to California farmers and ranches.

Sets cost-share purchasing percentages for California agricultural products with additional percentage increases for products from climate-smart farms, socially disadvantaged farmers, small farms under $250,000 in annual income, and food hubs serving these producers.

Requires grantees to collect and report patient outcome data (mood, hospitalization duration, food palatability, plate waste) and program metrics by January 1, 2026; mandates a legislative report by January 1, 2027; program sunsets January 1, 2031.