NJ A3742

Establishes the Farm to School Local Food Procurement Reimbursement Grant Program to provide reimbursement funding to school districts for sourcing and procuring New Jersey-grown fruits, vegetables, meats, seafood, legumes, and grains (excluding fluid dairy milk) for student meals

Sets annual grant amounts based on district size: small districts (under 5,000 students) receive $10,000-$50,000; medium districts (5,000-10,000 students) receive $20,000-$125,000; large districts (10,000+ students) receive $44,000-$250,000

Requires 100% of grant funds to reimburse local food procurement costs, though the department may authorize up to 20% for technical assistance expenses such as equipment, training, or staffing on a case-by-case basis

Prioritizes funding for districts with high percentages of subsidized meal-eligible students, schools in food desert areas, and those sourcing from small/mid-sized family farms or socially disadvantaged farmers

Appropriates $4,500,000 total: $4,000,000 for initial grant awards and $500,000 for program administrative costs, with provisions for annual appropriations of up to $4,500,000 in subsequent years