SCS/SBs 1010, 958, & 878 - This act changes the "Farm-to-School Act" and program to the "Farm-to-Table Act" and program. Under this act, the program will connect Missouri farmers to institutions in order to provide such institutions with locally grown agricultural products. This act defines "institutions" as facilities including schools, correctional facilities, hospitals, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and military bases. This act also requires the Department of Agriculture to establish guidelines for voluntary participation and parameters for program goals, which shall include the requirement that participating institutions purchase at least 10% of their food products locally by December 31, 2019. Nothing in this act shall require an institution to participate in the Farm-to-Table Program. Currently, certain state departments are required to make staff available to the program, including the Department of Health and Senior Services, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the Office of Administration. This act adds the Department of Corrections to this staff requirement.
Currently, the Farm-to-Table Task Force is composed of certain members. Under this act, one representative will also be added to the Task Force from the Department of Corrections, the Department of Health and Senior Services, and from a military base in this state. Currently, the Director of the Department of Agriculture and the Director of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education may each appoint 2 members to the Task Force. Under this act, each may only appoint 1 member. Further, the Director of the Department of Corrections and the Director of the Department of Health and Senior Services shall each appoint 1 member. The Director of the Department of Agriculture shall also appoint 1 member who is a registered dietician. Under this act, the Task Force is required to prepare a report for the Governor, General Assembly, and the Director of each entity represented on the Task Force by December 31 of each year.
Currently, the Farm-to-School Act and Program expired on December 31, 2015. This act repeals this expiration date.
This act is identical to HCS/SB 665 (2016), SCS/HCS/HB 2121, 1747, & 2244 (2016), HCS/SCS/SB 703 (2016), and is similar to HCS/SCS/SB 38 (2015), and HCS/HB 1184 (2015).
KAYLA HAHN