Press Releases

For Immediate Release                             Contact: Alayah Phipps 

November 21, 2025                                                    202-813-2793 

PRESS RELEASE 

REPS. PLASKETT, FITZPATRICK, RILEY, AND BRESNAHAN INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN FARM TO SCHOOL ACT 

Washington, D.C. – This week, Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) and her colleagues, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Congressman Josh Riley (D-NY), and Congressman Rob Bresnahan (R-PA), introduced the Farm to School Act of 2025, H.R. 6065. This bipartisan legislation would double federal funding for farm-to-school programs from $5 million to $10 million annually. The bill would expand access to fresh, locally sourced foods in schools nationwide while strengthening local agricultural economies and supporting small-scale farmers, ranchers, and fishermen. 

“The Farm to School Act is a blueprint for nourishing our children while invigorating our local economies. Since its inception, this program has channeled more than $52 million into projects across all states and territories, including the U.S. Virgin Islands, benefiting nearly 21 million students in 47,000 schools. This legislation doubles funding for a program that works, providing an essential economic lifeline to our small farmers, ranchers, and fishermen, while ensuring millions of students have access to nutritious, locally sourced meals. I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation alongside Reps. Fitzpatrick, Riley, and Bresnahan to support our nation’s schools and local communities,” said Congresswoman Plaskett.  

“When local farmers and local schools work hand-in-hand, the whole community benefits. The Farm to School Act expands that partnership — increasing federal support, cutting red tape, and opening the door for more of our small and socially disadvantaged farmers to supply the fresh, local food our kids deserve. This bill brings healthier meals into our classrooms and stronger economic opportunity to our farms. It’s a win for our farmers. It’s a win for our kids. And it’s exactly the kind of bipartisan, community-driven progress that defines Pennsylvania’s First District,” said Fitzpatrick. 

“In Upstate New York, fresh, local food shouldn’t be a luxury — it should be what our kids get at school every day,” Rep. Riley said. “The Farm to School Act helps connect our family farms with the cafeterias that feed our students and keeps more of our food dollars close to home. It strengthens our schools and ensures that Upstate New York farms feed Upstate New York kids. I’m proud to support it.” 

“From Northeastern Pennsylvania farms to our school cafeterias, keeping it local matters,” said Rep. Bresnahan. “Farm to School grants and investments in our region have helped our students eat healthier and kept our family farms growing strong. The Farm to School Act will expand and improve these efforts so more of our kids can eat food grown by farmers right in their own backyards.”   

Congresswoman Plaskett continued, “As food assistance programs face continued attacks, the Farm to School Grant Program is increasingly critical. The program enables schools, nonprofit organizations, and local, state, and tribal governments to purchase and serve fresh food directly from local farms to school cafeterias. Ensuring that every child and every family has access to nutritious food is at the heart of my legislative agenda. As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday—a time that reminds us of the importance of community and caring for our neighbors—we are called to act on those values year-round. No family should face the uncertainty of not knowing where their child’s next meal will come from. I am grateful to my colleagues for their partnership on this critical legislation, and I am thankful for the opportunity to work together across party for our children." 

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