California schools serve nearly 5 million meals to students every day, and a new push could dramatically increase how much of that food comes from local organic farms. Right now, most school food travels through large national supply chains, but a groundbreaking bill aims to change that by making it easier for organic farmers and food businesses to sell directly to schools.

What's Blocking Organic Farms From Feeding Schools?

Even when schools want to buy organic and local food, the reality is complicated. Organic farmers and businesses across California have been telling policymakers the same thing: selling to schools should be easier. The barriers are real—complicated purchasing rules, tight budget constraints, and distribution challenges often make it nearly impossible for farms to connect with school cafeterias, even when both sides want to work together.

This disconnect is especially frustrating because schools represent one of the biggest food markets in the state. Yet most of the food served in cafeterias comes through established national supply chains rather than local producers who could provide fresher, more sustainable options.

How AB 1731 Could Transform School Food

To address these barriers, the California Legislature is considering AB 1731, a bill co-sponsored by the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF). The bill would create a California Healthy Food Procurement Fund designed specifically to make it easier for schools to purchase local, organic food through an approved vendor program.

Here's how it would work: farms with their own distribution capacity, regional food distributors, and food hubs could become approved vendors through the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). These vendors would provide whole or minimally processed foods sourced from local farms, including certified organic operations and farms transitioning to organic.

Why This Timing Matters for Organic Farmers

The timing of this bill is strategic. California recently passed a law requiring schools to stop serving ultra-processed foods to students. This creates a massive opportunity for organic farmers and food businesses to step in and supply the healthy food schools will need to meet this new requirement.

For organic producers, this represents a game-changing market opportunity. Schools aren't just buying small quantities—they're feeding millions of students every single day. A reliable, streamlined connection to school purchasing could provide stable, predictable demand that many smaller farms struggle to find in conventional markets.

Steps to Support Organic School Food Access

• Sign the Support Letter: California farmers and food businesses can add their names to a support letter for AB 1731 in less than a minute, demonstrating to legislators that the organic community backs this change.
• Become an Approved Vendor: Farms with distribution capacity, regional food distributors, and food hubs can work toward becoming approved vendors through CDFA to supply schools with local, organic, and transitioning-to-organic foods.
• Connect With CCOF: Farmers and food businesses interested in getting involved can contact CCOF Policy Manager Laetitia Benador at lbenador@ccof.org or 831-346-6339 for more information about the initiative.

The push to connect organic farms with schools reflects a broader shift in how California thinks about food systems. Rather than relying solely on large national suppliers, the state is recognizing that local, organic producers can play a critical role in feeding students healthy meals while supporting regional agriculture.

For organic farmers who have struggled to find reliable markets, this bill could open doors. For schools trying to meet new nutrition standards, it could provide access to fresher, locally-grown options. And for students, it means the potential for healthier meals sourced from farms in their own communities.