Article Summary –
Gage Monroe, a culinary student, advocates for the Keystone Fresh Act, which aims to support local Pennsylvania farms by providing state funding for schools to purchase food from them, addressing concerns about “mystery meats” and promoting healthy, locally sourced meals. The Act, introduced by Democratic state Rep. Danilo Burgos, responds to funding cuts under the Trump administration, affecting local farm-to-school programs, and seeks to revitalize rural economies while offering nutritious meals. The bill faces debate over its provision for prioritizing grants to socially disadvantaged farmers, with some Republican lawmakers voicing concerns about potential reverse discrimination.
Gage Monroe, a senior at Columbia-Montour Area Vocational-Technical School, has been passionate about the culinary arts since childhood. Taught by his father at just three, he navigated the kitchen making omelets. At five, baking with his grandmother became a Sunday ritual. By age 10, he earned second place at the Bloomsburg Fair for his zucchini-and-carrot brownies with a pineapple glaze.
Currently enrolled in his school’s culinary program, Monroe contributes to school lunches, serving hundreds of peers. “I’ve been on the lunch line for three years and often hear jokes about ‘mystery meats,’” Monroe said during a recent legislative hearing in Harrisburg, emphasizing the need for identifiable and local ingredients.
To combat this, Monroe supports House Bill 1768, or the Keystone Fresh Act, introduced by Democratic Rep. Danilo Burgos of Philadelphia. The bill, boasting bipartisan support, seeks grants to enable schools to buy local Pennsylvania farm produce.
Burgos’ legislation arises after the Trump administration’s cancellation of over $1 billion in 2025 for programs aiding schools and food banks in purchasing local foods, leaving small farms financially strained by lost support. Monroe, Burgos, and others advocated for the bill at an October hearing.
“Buying local supports consumers and strengthens the rural economy,” Monroe told legislators. Small farms struggle to compete with larger operations that schools typically contract due to lower pricing.
With federal uncertainties around local food programs, Burgos stressed state action is essential to integrate more local food into schools. “Passing the Keystone Fresh Act will nourish our kids and economy while supporting Pennsylvania farmers,” he stated. According to USDA data, only a small fraction of Pennsylvania school food budgets are spent locally.
Joseph Edmondson, culinary instructor at Columbia-Montour, collaborates with local farms, providing firsthand insights into the benefits. Partnering with Davis Grown Farm, Edmondson’s school sources ground beef and eggs locally. This initiative instills pride and agricultural awareness in students, linking their meals to Pennsylvania farms.
Edmondson argues the Keystone Fresh Act could transform school food purchasing, fostering consistent local sourcing. “Such programs offer flexibility, supporting schools and farms mutually,” he said. The act also addresses rural engagement in agriculture.
However, some Republican lawmakers raised concerns over the bill’s preference for applicants from “socially disadvantaged groups.” Rep. Jill Cooper questioned if race or political beliefs should influence the source of school food.
Edmondson addressed the equity focus, highlighting its role in empowering disadvantaged groups. According to the 2022 U.S. Census of Agriculture, out of 90,032 agricultural producers in Pennsylvania, 92 are Black and 89,328 white. Cooper expressed concerns regarding potential discrimination against financially strained white farmers.
The bill awaits a decision in the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee before potential approval by the Democratic-led House and consideration by the Republican-controlled Senate.
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