CHAPTER 51
FARM-TO-SCHOOL FUND
21—51.1(190A) Purpose. The purpose of the farm-to-school fund is to assist schools and school districts in purchasing food locally grown or produced by Iowa farmers to serve in school meals or as snacks.
[ARC 6217C, IAB 2/23/22, effective 3/30/22]
21—51.2(190A) Definitions.
“Department” means the department of agriculture and land stewardship.
“Food product” means a perishable or nonperishable product derived from processing a food commodity to be fit for human consumption, including but not limited to cuts of meat, poultry, or fish; shelled aquatic items; pasteurized milk or dairy products; washed shelled eggs; honey; maple syrup; cleaned unshelled or shelled nuts; washed whole produce; and washed and cut produce.
“School” means a public school or nonpublic school, as those terms are defined in Iowa Code section 280.2, or that portion of a public school or nonpublic school that provides facilities for teaching any grade from kindergarten through grade 12.
[ARC 6217C, IAB 2/23/22, effective 3/30/22]
21—51.3(190A) Application to participate. To participate in the farm-to-school program, schools must register with the department each school year. A school may apply to the department at any time during the school year.
[ARC 6217C, IAB 2/23/22, effective 3/30/22]
21—51.4(190A) Eligible purchases.
	51.4(1) Schools may be reimbursed for the purchase of a food product if either of the following applies:
	a. 	The food product was produced by a farm source located in this state.
	b. 	If the school district shares a border with another state, or the school is part of a school district that shares a border with another state, the farm source may be located in the other state. However, the farm source must be located within 30 miles of the school district’s border with the other state and the department must approve the purchase in advance.
	51.4(2) Purchases must follow United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) child nutrition program procurement requirements.
[ARC 6217C, IAB 2/23/22, effective 3/30/22]
21—51.5(190A) Reimbursement for purchases.
	51.5(1) Participating schools or districts must submit a request for reimbursement to the department, and proof of purchase must be provided at that time.
	51.5(2) The department will reimburse $1 for every $3 spent by the school or school district, up to $1,000, as funds are available.
[ARC 6217C, IAB 2/23/22, effective 3/30/22]
These rules are intended to implement Iowa Code chapter 190A.
[Filed ARC 6217C (Notice ARC 6113C, IAB 12/29/21), IAB 2/23/22, effective 3/30/22]