Riley Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Deliver Fresh, Local Food to Schools Across Upstate New York

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representatives Josh Riley (NY-19), Stacey Plaskett (VI-AL), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), and Rob Bresnahan (PA-08) introduced the 'Farm to School Act,'bipartisan legislation to increase funding for the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program, a successful U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) initiative that connects local food to schools across Upstate New York and nationwide.

"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."

The Farm to School Program plays a vital role in connecting students to local farms in Upstate New York. During the 2022-2023 school year, the program reached5,230 schools and served more than 3 million students statewide. Since its creation in 2010, the Farm to School Program has invested more than $100 millionnationwide to help students eat fresh, local meals and learn about food, nutrition, and agriculture.

The popular program, however, is currently unable to meet demand; it funds fewer than one in four applications a year. The Farm to School Act would double the program's annual funding from $5 million to $10 million, raise the maximum grant award, and make it easier for schools to purchase food directly from nearby farms. The legislation would also expand the Farm to School initiative to include pre-schools, summer meal programs, and after-school programs.

Congressman Riley is committed to supporting local farmers and ensuring every child in Upstate New York has access to fresh, healthy food:

• April 2025: Introduced the Honor Farmer Contracts Act (H.R.2396) to require USDA to uphold its promise to America's farmers by unfreezing funding for previously signed agreements and contracts.
• May 2025: Fought against budget plan that would cut billions from the SNAP program, protecting nutrition assistance for Upstate families and kids.
• July 2025: Introduced the Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act (H.R. 4782) to connect local farmers with community food programs and fight hunger across NY-19.
• August 2025: Introduced the Increasing Nutrition Access for Seniors Act of 2025 (H.R.5055) to simplify the SNAP program for seniors and individuals with disabilities.

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