This year, we have an important opportunity to get more New York grown and raised food to students across the state. New York’s K-12 schools serve breakfast, lunch, snacks, and afterschool meals to 2.7 million schoolchildren, providing half of their daily calories on average. Incorporating fresh, locally grown food into these meals through Farm to School programs is an effective way to increase access to healthy food for kids and improve their academic performance while offering new markets for New York’s farmers. Since 2018, the Farm to School Grant Program and 30% Initiative have worked hand in hand, promising to lead the nation in helping schools buy more local food.

An October 2025 audit by the Office of the New York State Comptroller found that only 73 out of 762 school food authorities (SFAs) outside New York City are actively participating in the program. Of the 253 SFAs surveyed statewide, 42% reported that the administrative challenges of tracking school lunch costs separately from other meal expenses, like breakfast and snacks, made participation difficult. Consequently, just $2.9 million — or 29% — of the $10 million appropriated to the program was reimbursed during the most recent school year (2024-25.)

Policymakers in Albany are currently working to negotiate the state budget. Act NOW to ask your state representatives to support funding for New York’s Farm to School programs and modernize the 30% NYS Initiative.

Our Coalition Asks:

• Maintain at least $10 million in funding for reimbursing local food purchases under the 30% NYS Initiative.
• Maintain funding at least $1.5 million for the New York Farm to School grants program to support schools across the state in growing Farm to School initiatives.   
• Modernize the 30% NYS Initiative by establishing the below proposed framework for the program:

• 1. Include Breakfast and Reimbursable Snacks: Apply the purchasing calculation across breakfast, reimbursable snacks, and lunch to determine eligibility and tier placement.
• 2. Update the Reimbursement Structure: Add 1.5% annual CPI indexing for five years and clarify that eligibility is based on all meals, while reimbursement is paid on lunch meals only.
• 3. Adopt a Tiered Reimbursement Model: Tiered rates paid per lunch meal based on NYS purchasing levels: 30–39% NYS purchases → $0.26 per lunch, 40–49% NYS purchases → $0.28 per lunch, 50% or greater NYS purchases → $0.30 per lunch.
• 4. Safeguard Current Participants with Three-Year Hold Harmless Provision: Existing participants remain eligible for three years during program transition and receive at least the entry-tier reimbursement while eligible to earn higher tiers.
• 5. Ensure Separate and Stable Funding: The 30% reimbursement remains distinct from all other state meal reimbursements to protect program transparency, accountability, and integrity.

With just one click on the “Take Action” button, enter your information and send a customizable letter directly to your state representatives in support of strong funding for these critical programs which improve the health of our children and support our state’s farmers!