Relating to a program that assists schools and school districts in purchasing fresh farm produce, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions

This bill creates a local farm produce program to assist schools and school districts purchasing fresh farm produce directly from farmers or distributors of fresh farm produce (Code chapter 190A). The department of agriculture and land stewardship may reimburse a school or school district for expenditures on such products to the extent moneys are available to support the program. The available moneys would be allocated during the school year on a matching basis, subject to a $5,000 cap. The bill also creates a local farm produce fund to support the program. The bill appropriates moneys from Iowa coronavirus fiscal recovery fund to the local farm produce fund for the period beginning July 1, 2023, and ending December 31, 2024. However, any unencumbered or unobligated moneys remaining on December 31, 2024, are transferred to the general fund and appropriated to the economic development authority to support small businesses. The bill takes effect upon enactment.