FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) – Kentucky schools now have a simpler path to include local farm products in their meals after the Senate passed Senate Bill 5, Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell announced Friday.
“Studies show farm produce from a local source has more nutrients than those shipped over longer distances,” Shell said. “Healthier, more nutrient-dense meals help children stay focused, alert, and ready to learn. This bill supports that by reducing some of the challenges and barriers in previous procurement of local farm-fresh foods.”
One of the main goals of SB 5, sponsored by Sen. Jason Howell, R-Murray, is to bring more locally grown produce into schools to improve students’ nutrition.
During a Senate Agriculture Committee meeting this year, Shell testified that the legislation would begin decentralizing the current school procurement system, helping farmers gain better access to school markets.
The bill gives Kentucky school districts participating in USDA Child Nutrition programs more flexibility to directly purchase Kentucky-grown agricultural products without being subject to certain state competitive bidding laws—while still complying with all federal requirements. In some cases, this flexibility allows local farmers to compete with large companies by enabling schools to award contracts when they consider prices reasonable based on prior experience, purchase history, or other relevant factors.
Under SB 5, the competitive bidding requirement could be waived for districts seeking to make food purchases below $350,000. This change applies only to Kentucky-grown agricultural products—those grown, raised, or produced within the state—and to schools participating in USDA Child Nutrition Programs. However, districts must still follow other federal and local procurement rules.
An emergency clause in the bill makes it effective immediately once filed with the Kentucky Secretary of State’s office.
SB 5 is now on the governor’s desk awaiting action.
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