California makes Farm-to-School lunch program permanent

California has expanded its Farm-to-School program, making it a permanent component of the state Department of Food and Agriculture. The initiative pairs local farms, ranches and food producers with school districts, providing fresh, locally grown meals to students. Since its launch in 2021, about 500 districts, including Tahoe‑Truckee Unified and Western Placer Unified, have received grant funding for produce, field trips to farms, and culinary training for cafeteria staff. The state has invested over $1 billion in healthier school meals, and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom highlighted the goal of ensuring every California child has access to nutritious, regenerative organic food.

District nutrition directors, such as Christina Lawson of Western Placer Unified, praised the move, noting relief that funding will not lapse after years of effort. Students have responded enthusiastically, with reports of high demand for items like rambutan and pozole, indicating the program’s success in improving meal quality and acceptance.