By Laetitia Benador
California Healthy Food Procurement Fund Program
We are excited to share that CCOF-sponsored AB 1731, the California Healthy Food Procurement Fund Program, has officially cleared the Assembly!
The bill passed the Assembly Appropriations Committee and then advanced off the Assembly Floor last week with a unanimous 78-0 bipartisan vote.
This momentum reflects the tremendous support AB 1731 has received from the agricultural and education community across California — and the growing recognition that now is the moment to set up a statewide system that connects California agriculture and school cafeterias.
As schools prepare to phase out ultra-processed foods from meals to meet new state laws, they are looking for more fresh, minimally processed food — and we want to make sure that food is supplied by California farmers, especially organic farmers. AB 1731 would create a statewide structure for connecting schools with California farmers, food hubs, and regional distributors through an approved vendors list and a healthy food incentive fund, making it easier for schools to buy healthy California-grown food and easier for farmers to access school markets.
Importantly, AB 1731 is designed to build upon — not replace — the important work already happening through the CDFA Farm to School Incubator Grant Program (F2S). This pilot program has helped farmers and schools build infrastructure and relationships over the past few years, and CCOF supports ongoing efforts to make it a permanent program with ongoing funding.
Thank you to everyone who has supported AB 1731 by signing letters, taking meetings, testifying in hearings, and continuing to demonstrate what is possible every day on the ground in schools and on farms.
As AB 1731 moves to the Senate, we invite you to continue standing with us as we advocate for the program and the funding needed to bring it to life statewide. If you haven’t already, please add your name to our letter of support here.
If you have any questions or would like to get involved, please reach out to CCOF Policy Manager Laetitia Benador at Lbenador@ccof.org.
