FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact
Michael Recco
Director of Marketing, CCOF, Inc.
mrecco@ccof.org; (831) 423-2263
CCOF and Fullwell-Sponsored Bill Signed Into Law Today, Opening New Markets for California Farmers
AB 1731 connects California farmers with public institutions seeking healthy, locally grown food.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. Sept. 28, 2026 — A bill co-sponsored by California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) and Fullwell to open new markets for the state’s farmers became law today after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1731. The legislation creates a new pathway for California farmers to sell healthy, locally grown food to schools, hospitals, universities and other public institutions.
Authored by Assemblymember Lori Wilson, AB 1731 establishes the Healthy Food for California Public Institutions Program. The legislation creates a streamlined process to help institutions identify and purchase food from California farms and regional suppliers.
“This is a significant victory for California farmers,” said Laetitia Benador, policy manager at CCOF. “California’s public institutions purchase and serve millions of meals, and our farmers should have a clear pathway into that market. AB 1731 helps create those connections at a critical time for farmers facing rising costs and shrinking market opportunities.”
Under AB 1731, the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Office of Farm to Fork will establish a program to identify approved suppliers capable of serving public institutions, subject to legislative funding.
The program will include a publicly available list of suppliers offering whole or minimally processed California-grown foods produced using climate-smart agricultural practices. California’s definition of climate-smart agriculture includes certified organic farms and farms transitioning to organic, as well as producers using practices such as cover cropping, compost application, hedgerows and reduced tillage.
Eligible suppliers may include farms, food hubs and regional distributors serving schools, hospitals, universities, correctional facilities and other public institutions that purchase food with public dollars.
“Public institutions want to purchase more healthy food from California producers, but navigating regional supply chains can be difficult,” said Lena Brook, Deputy Director at Fullwell. “AB 1731 creates a practical way to connect those buyers with farmers and suppliers across the state, strengthening local food systems while helping public food dollars support California agriculture.”
The new law comes as schools phase out certain ultra-processed foods and other public institutions increase their purchasing of California-grown products, creating additional demand that California farmers are well positioned to meet.
More than 180 California farmers, school districts and nonprofit organizations supported AB 1731, with farmers and school nutrition directors traveling to Sacramento to advocate for the legislation.
###
About CCOF
California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) is a nonprofit agricultural organization of farmers, ranchers and food businesses that grow, make and sell organic food. Founded in California more than 50 years ago and governed by its members, CCOF provides organic certification, education, grants, technical assistance and policy advocacy.
About Fullwell
Fullwell is a San Francisco Bay Area-based nonprofit organization that advocates for local, state and federal food policy that promotes health, justice and sustainability. We focus on developing policies and programs in California related to the food safety net and public food procurement that have the potential to be replicated across the country.
