PA HB1768

Establishes the Local Food Purchasing Incentive Grant Program to provide grants to school food authorities for purchasing Pennsylvania-grown fruits, vegetables, grains, meats, fish, beans, yogurt, and cheese for school meals, with annual awards ranging from $16,500 to $650,000 based on student enrollment size.

Creates the Keystone Producer Grant Program to fund equipment and marketing for farms, food hubs, and local food aggregators selling to schools, with maximum grants of $150,000 per recipient.

Establishes the Keystone Assistance Grant Program to provide technical assistance and small equipment grants to nonprofits and higher education institutions helping schools procure local food and implement scratch cooking.

Requires the Department of Education to establish programs within 18 months, develop a farm-to-school website with resources for schools and producers, and gives preference to applicants sourcing from veteran or new/beginning farmers and schools meeting community eligibility provisions.

Creates the Keystone Fresh Farm to School Account in the General Fund, reserves $250,000 every two years for biennial external program evaluations, and allows departments to use up to 3.5% of appropriated funds for administrative costs.