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SB 277

Indiana grown produce for students program.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Shelli Yoder

SB 277 establishes a program requiring Indiana schools to increase purchases of locally-grown produce to support farmers and improve student nutrition access.

Authored by Senator Yoder
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Bill Summary · SB 277

Legislative bill overview

SB 277 establishes a program to increase the purchase and consumption of Indiana-grown produce in school cafeterias across the state. The bill creates a framework for schools to source local agricultural products, supporting both student nutrition and Indiana farmers through institutional procurement.

Why is this important

School lunch programs feed millions of students daily, making them significant markets for agricultural products. By directing schools to prioritize local produce, the bill aims to strengthen Indiana's farm economy, reduce transportation costs and environmental impact, and potentially improve student access to fresher nutritional options.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: Schools may face higher expenses sourcing local produce compared to bulk commodity purchases, raising questions about funding mechanisms and impact on tight school budgets
  • Supply consistency and capacity: Indiana farmers may lack year-round production capacity or sufficient volume to reliably meet large institutional demand across all seasons
  • Feasibility and scope: The bill's specific requirements remain unclear in available records—whether this is mandatory or incentive-based, which produce categories are included, and what timeline applies could significantly affect stakeholder buy-in

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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