SACRAMENTO, CA — Today, Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-11) introduced AB 1731, the California Healthy Food Procurement Fund, to make it easier for California farmers to sell the food they grow and raise to local schools—and to bring more healthy food to school cafeterias.
AB 1731 responds to a pivotal moment for California’s food system. Farmers are facing skyrocketing costs of production and shrinking market opportunities, while schools are now required to shift what food they buy and serve following the passage of AB 1264, which restricts ultra-processed foods in schools. AB 1731 helps ensure that as schools make this transition, California farmers are positioned to supply that growing demand.
“Supporting our farmers as they face stability challenges, while ensuring our state’s children have access to nutritious foods, is not just important, it’s essential,” said Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson, who represents District 11. “AB 1731 is a powerful step forward, empowering California’s farmers to give back to their communities with healthier food options, and ensuring our children thrive with the nourishment they deserve.”
AB 1731 establishes a dedicated procurement fund at the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and sets up a simplified process for schools to access healthy food through local farmers and regional distributors, such as food hubs, that source whole or minimally processed foods grown by California farmers using sustainable practices. This shifts school food purchasing to local and regional supply chains, supporting California farmers and strengthening local economies, while making healthy food affordable for schools.
California’s future depends on both a strong agricultural sector and a healthy next generation—and the two go hand in hand. Between 2017 and 2022, more than 7,000 mostly small California farms went out of business, highlighting the economic pressure facing the state’s food producers. At the same time, nearly 1 in 5 California children live in food-insecure households and for many students, school meals are a critical lifeline for daily nourishment.
“Supporting California farmers and nourishing the next generation of kids are inseparable goals,” said Laetitia Benador, Policy Manager at California Certified Organic Farmers. “Yet schools rely heavily on national supply chains, limiting opportunities for California farmers to benefit from public food purchases—even as they struggle to stay in business. AB 1731 makes sure California farmers can meet new demand from schools seeking healthier food, keeping food dollars in state and giving farmers the stable, local markets they need to thrive.”
As schools begin implementing AB 1264, demand for California-grown, whole and minimally processed foods grown using sustainable practices is growing. CDFA’s Farm to School Incubator Grant Program is consistently oversubscribed. Demand during the 2024 grant cycle was 2.5 times higher than available funding.
“Schools throughout California are ready and willing to support local farmers, yet sourcing from regional supply chains is often complicated and burdensome,” said Lena Brook, Deputy Director at Fullwell. “This bill makes it possible for schools working on tight budgets to make this happen without adding work or cost to nutrition directors, all the while paving the way for healthier meals and reliable markets for our farmers.”
This bill is co-sponsored by California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) and Fullwell and follows a recommendation proposed in the 2025 CDFA Farm to School Evaluation. If passed, the CDFA Office of Farm to Fork would be required to establish the fund by January 1, 2028.
_______________________________________________
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 over 50 years ago and governed by its members, CCOF provides organic certification, education, grants and 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.
