Riley Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Deliver Fresh, Local Food to Schools Across Upstate New York

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Representatives Josh Riley (NY-19), Stacey Plaskett (VI-AL), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), and Rob Bresnahan (PA-08) introduced the ‘Farm to School Act,’ bipartisan legislation to increase funding for the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program, a successful U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) initiative that connects local food to schools across Upstate New York and nationwide.

“In Upstate New York, fresh, local food shouldn’t be a luxury — it should be what our kids get at school every day,” Rep. Riley said. “The Farm to School Act helps connect our family farms with the cafeterias that feed our students and keeps more of our food dollars close to home. It strengthens our schools and ensures that Upstate New York farms feed Upstate New York kids. I’m proud to support it.”

The Farm to School Program plays a vital role in connecting students to local farms in Upstate New York. During the 2022–2023 school year, the program reached 5,230 schools and served more than 3 million students statewide. Since its creation in 2010, the Farm to School Program has invested more than $100 million nationwide to help students eat fresh, local meals and learn about food, nutrition, and agriculture.

The popular program, however, is currently unable to meet demand; it funds fewer than one in four applications a year. The Farm to School Act would double the program’s annual funding from $5 million to $10 million, raise the maximum grant award, and make it easier for schools to purchase food directly from nearby farms. The legislation would also expand the Farm to School initiative to include pre-schools, summer meal programs, and after-school programs.

Congressman Riley is committed to supporting local farmers and ensuring every child in Upstate New York has access to fresh, healthy food:

April 2025: Introduced the Honor Farmer Contracts Act (H.R.2396) to require USDA to uphold its promise to America’s farmers by unfreezing funding for previously signed agreements and contracts.
May 2025: Fought against budget plan that would cut billions from the SNAP program, protecting nutrition assistance for Upstate families and kids.
July 2025: Introduced the Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act (H.R. 4782) to connect local farmers with community food programs and fight hunger across NY-19.
August 2025: Introduced the Increasing Nutrition Access for Seniors Act of 2025 (H.R.5055) to simplify the SNAP program for seniors and individuals with disabilities.

###

Read The Latest Updates

More Updates

RILEY VOTES YES ON FARM BILL, DELIVERING MAJOR WINS FOR UPSTATE FARMERS AND RURAL COMMUNITIES

Upstate Farms and groups praise Riley’s vote to support local agriculture WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman...

Riley Votes to Extend Broadband Network for First Responders

WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, Rep. Josh Riley (NY-19) voted to pass the First Responder Network Authority...

Riley Backs Bipartisan Bill to Crack Down on China, Protect U.S. Supply Chains and National Security

Congressman Josh Riley is backing the bipartisan Multilateral Alignment of Technology Controls on Hardware (MATCH) Act, legislation to strengthen U.S. export controls on semiconductor manufacturing equipment and prevent foreign adversaries like China from accessing critical technology.

Riley Introduces Legislation to Eliminate Taxes on Utility Bills

Today, Congressman Josh Riley (NY-19), alongside Congressman Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02), introduced the No Taxes on Utility Bills Act, bipartisan legislation to allow taxpayers to deduct taxes and state-mandated surcharges included on their gas and electric utility bills.

Riley Slams Proposal to Eliminate Heating Assistance for 91,000 Upstate New Yorkers

Congressman Josh Riley this week sent a letter to the House Appropriations Committee slamming President Trump's proposed budget, which would eliminate the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), urging lawmakers to fully fund the critical program instead.

Riley Introduces Bill to Protect Small Businesses from Corporate Price Gouging, Lower Costs for Families

Congressman Josh Riley (NY-19) helped introduce the Fair Prices for Local Businesses Act, legislation that would lower costs for working families and level the playing field for small businesses by cracking down on corporate price discrimination.

Riley Introduces Fertilizer Pricing Bill as Iran War Drives Up Costs for Farmers

Congressman Josh Riley (NY-19) helped introduce the bipartisan Fertilizer Transparency Act, legislation to require the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a mandatory weekly reporting program for fertilizer prices and quantities sold across the country.

Riley Forces Insurance Companies to put Patients Over Profits

U.S. Representative Josh Riley (NY-19) today announced he is co-leading the bipartisan Care Over Profits Act (H.R. 7861) to force health insurance companies to spend more of the money families pay in premiums on actual care.

Riley Secures Major Wins for Upstate Communities in 2026 Farm Bill

Congressman Josh Riley announced a series of wins for Upstate New York farmers and rural communities after the House Agriculture Committee passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, sending the legislation to the full House of Representatives. During the committee’s markup of the Farm Bill, Riley secured a number of provisions focused on farm safety, supporting dairy and organic farmers, lowering costs, strengthening local food systems, and protecting American farmland.

Rep. Riley Cross-Examines NYSEG Executives Under Oath, Demands Answers on Rate Hike and Profits Sent to Spain

Congressman Josh Riley (NY-19) yesterday participated in a hearing of the Public Service Commission, where he cross-examined NYSEG executives and demanded answers about why the utility monopoly is demanding Upstate New Yorkers pay higher bills while sending millions in profits to its foreign parent company.

ICYMI: Rep. Riley Launches Congressional Lowering Utility Bills Caucus

Representative Josh Riley (NY-19) yesterday launched the Congressional Lowering Utility Bills Caucus, a group of lawmakers dedicated to finding legislative solutions to the ongoing energy affordability crisis. The caucus will convene House Members around oversight strategies and tools to hold utility providers accountable for rate hikes.

Riley Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Stop Wall Street from Buying Up Affordable Housing

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Representatives Josh Riley (NY-19) and Pat Harrigan (NC-10) today introduced the ‘Families First Housing Act’ (H.R. 6962) bipartisan legislation to stop Wall Street investors from buying up affordable housing, and put homeownership back in reach of working families.

Get weekly updates in your inbox - subscribe to the Riley Report!