FARM-TO-SCHOOL PROCUREMENT H.B. 6368:
FLOOR SUMMARY
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House Bill 6368 (as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Representative Jeff Mayes
House Committee: Agriculture
Senate Committee: Agriculture
CONTENT
The bill would create the "Farm-to-School Procurement Act" to require the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) and the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) to collaborate to encourage school food authorities to purchase local farm products.
As part of the collaboration, the MDE would have to investigate potential procedures and tools for school authorities to purchase local farm products and abide by Federal regulations; educate food service directors on the small purchase threshold and other procurement procedures and tools; and implement food preparation training for food service staff to accommodate fresh and local foods.
The MDA, as part of the collaboration, would have to house a farm-to-school point person to coordinate its efforts with the MDE and the Department of Community Health; identify, target, and promote job creation around farm-to-school initiatives; investigate opportunities for farmers to supply their products to commercial distributors; and, in cooperation with commodity groups and growers associations, use existing web-based market development tools or adopt a voluntary web-based directory of farmers searchable by location.
Legislative Analyst: Curtis Walker
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would impose a small and indeterminate cost on the State. The Departments of Agriculture and Education would have additional responsibilities for researching procurement procedures, educating school food service staff, and promoting the use of local foods in schools. The bill does not propose additional funding for these duties, so existing staff and resources of the Departments would be used to perform them, which could divert effort from existing programs.
Date Completed: 11-14-08 Fiscal Analyst: Jessica Runnels
Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. hb6368/0708