WASHINGTON- Today, Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08) and Congressman Glenn "GT" Thompson (PA-15) introduced the bipartisan Local Foods for Healthy Schools Act. This bill would help schools buy fresh food from local farms, giving students access to healthy meals and supporting farmers.

"When schools serve fresh, locally grown food, everyone wins. Kids get a good meal, schools save money, and farmers get the extra business," said Congresswoman McDonald Rivet. "Our bill is a no-brainer that will bring back a program that made a real difference in cafeterias across the country. We're going to help students eat healthier and help local farmers while we do it."

"The Local Foods for Healthy Schools Act creates a partnership between local producers and school districts, expanding markets for local farmers and making it easier for schools, especially in rural communities, to serve foods that provide the vital nutrients students need to succeed in the classroom," said Congressman Thompson.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) previously operated the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (LFS), which gave funding to states to purchase food from local farms to serve in school cafeterias and child care facilities. In 2025, USDA canceled LFS, which would have provided Michigan farmers and schools nearly $18 million in funding. The Local Foods for Healthy Schools Act would permanently reinstate and modernize the program, giving students access to fresh, healthy food while supporting local farmers and economies.

The bill has been endorsed by the School Nutrition Association, Michigan Farmers Union, Michigan Farm Bureau, National Education Association, American Federation of Teachers Feeding America, National Farm to School Network, American Farm Bureau, Farm Credit Council, National Farmers Union, National Milk Producers Federation, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, Feeding Pennsylvania, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, Chef Ann Foundation, Food Research and Action Center, and School Superintendent's Association.

"The Local Foods for Healthy Schools Act of 2026 would be a game-changer for Bendle Public Schools. Permanent funding for local food would allow us to serve more fresh, Michigan-grown fruits and vegetables while creating stronger partnerships with local farmers," said Dawn Pully, Food Service Director at Bendle Public Schools, which previously participated in the LFS program. "This legislation would help us expand partnerships with local farms to provide students with higher-quality, nutritious meals, and ensure that more federal dollars stay in our local economy. Thank you to Congresswoman McDonald Rivet for having our backs."

"The Local Foods for Healthy Schools Act is a smart investment in the health of our students and communities," said School Nutrition Association President Stephanie Dillard, MS, SNS. "The bill will provide school meal programs critical, additional funds to boost local purchases, exposing students to a wider variety of nutritious choices and strengthening support for farmers and producers close to home."

"For Michigan communities, strengthening ties between farmers and school meal programs is a win for everyone," said Bob Thompson, President of Michigan Farmers Union. "This commonsense legislation would help ensure students have better access to locally grown food while creating reliable markets for family farmers and supporting rural economies."