Pennsylvania took an important step forward for farm to school efforts this week.

On December 16, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed House Bill 1768, bipartisan legislation known as the Keystone Fresh Act, sponsored by Reps. Danilo Burgos (D–Philadelphia) and Jonathan Fritz (R–Susquehanna/Wayne). The bill now heads to the state Senate for consideration.

Why the Keystone Fresh Act Matters

Schools across Pennsylvania serve more than 168 million lunches each year, making school meal programs one of the largest food markets in the state. Yet, despite Pennsylvania’s rich and diverse agricultural sector, school food service programs currently spend only about 9% of their food budgets on local foods.

The Keystone Fresh Act aims to change that.

If enacted, the bill would establish a local food purchasing incentive grant program to help schools buy more fresh, Pennsylvania-grown foods, promote and serve local products in school meals, and build stronger relationships with local farmers

Benefits for Students, Farmers, and Communities

Supporters of the bill emphasize that increasing local food purchasing in schools is a win for everyone involved. Students benefit from increased access to fresh, nutritious foods, farmers gain new, stable markets for their products, and local economies grow stronger. Research shows that for every $1 spent on local food purchasing initiatives, $1.40 circulates back into the local economy

Rep. Burgos highlighted the broader impact, noting that the program would help strengthen connections between rural and urban communities while supporting Pennsylvania’s farm economy.

What’s Next?

With House passage secured, the Keystone Fresh Act now moves to the Pennsylvania Senate for consideration. Farm to school advocates, educators, farmers, and community partners will be watching closely as the bill advances.