OH SB288

Creates the Ohio Food and Agriculture Policy Council to recommend food system policies that strengthen Ohio's food and farm economies, enhance citizen health and wellness, and encourage natural resource sustainability

Council membership includes the Director of Agriculture (serving as Chairperson), plus 11 Governor-appointed members representing the Ohio Hospital Association, OSU Extension, Central State University Extension, Ohio Farm Bureau (3 members), urban farming, rural farming, statewide food banks, and Ohio cooperatives

Governor must appoint members within 60 days of the effective date, council must convene within 90 days, and appointed members serve four-year terms after which the council ceases to exist

Council must deliver an annual report to the General Assembly by March 1 each year covering food security, food access, food production and distribution, food waste, economic development, food procurement, food chain workers, and food systems resilience

Appropriates $500,000 from the General Revenue Fund for fiscal year 2026 to support council activities, with $0 appropriated for fiscal year 2027