HB 859

Department of Education; Farm to School Program Task Force; membership requirements; report. Amends the membership requirements of the Farm to School Program Task Force (the Task Force) established in accordance with applicable law by requiring the membership to include (i) one member of the Senate, to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules after consideration of the recommendation of the Chair of the Senate Committee on Education and Health; (ii) one member of the House of Delegates, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates after consideration of the recommendation of the Chair of the House Committee on Education; and (iii) at least four members to be appointed by the Department of Education, including at least one school board member, one representative of the Department of General Services involved in procurement, one representative of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and one farmer of producer in the Commonwealth who sells only the farm or agricultural products produced or grown by him. The bill also directs the Task Force to study and submit to the Virginia Commission to End Hunger by November 1, 2026, a report on supporting, expanding, and improving farm to school programs in the Commonwealth.