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CCOF and Fullwell-Sponsored Bill Signed Into Law Today, Opening New Markets for California Farmers
AB 1731 connects California farmers with public institutions seeking healthy, locally grown food.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. Sept. 28, 2026 — A bill co-sponsored by California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) and Fullwell to open new markets for the state’s farmers became law today after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1731. The legislation creates a new pathway for California farmers to sell healthy, locally grown food to schools, hospitals, universities and other public institutions.
Authored by Assemblymember Lori Wilson, AB 1731 establishes the Healthy Food for California Public Institutions Program. The legislation creates a streamlined process to help institutions identify and purchase food from California farms and regional suppliers.
“This is a significant victory for California farmers,” said Laetitia Benador, policy manager at CCOF. “California’s public institutions purchase and serve millions of meals, and our farmers should have a clear pathway into that market. AB 1731 helps create those connections at a critical time for farmers facing rising costs and shrinking market opportunities.”
Under AB 1731, the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Office of Farm to Fork will establish a program to identify approved suppliers capable of serving public institutions, subject to legislative funding.
The program will include a publicly available list of suppliers offering whole or minimally processed California-grown foods produced using climate-smart agricultural practices. California’s definition of climate-smart agriculture includes certified organic farms and farms transitioning to organic, as well as producers using practices such as cover cropping, compost application, hedgerows and reduced tillage.
Eligible suppliers may include farms, food hubs and regional distributors serving schools, hospitals, universities, correctional facilities and other public institutions that purchase food with public dollars.
“Public institutions want to purchase more healthy food from California producers, but navigating regional supply chains can be difficult,” said Lena Brook, Deputy Director at Fullwell. “AB 1731 creates a practical way to connect those buyers with farmers and suppliers across the state, strengthening local food systems while helping public food dollars support California agriculture.”
The new law comes as schools phase out certain ultra-processed foods and other public institutions increase their purchasing of California-grown products, creating additional demand that California farmers are well positioned to meet.
More than 180 California farmers, school districts and nonprofit organizations supported AB 1731, with farmers and school nutrition directors traveling to Sacramento to advocate for the legislation.
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Sobre CCOF
California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) es una organización agrícola sin ánimo de lucro formada por agricultores, ganaderos y empresas alimentarias que cultivan, elaboran y venden alimentos ecológicos. Fundada en California hace más de 50 años y gobernada por sus miembros, la CCOF ofrece certificación ecológica, educación, subvenciones y asistencia técnica, y defensa de políticas.
Acerca de Fullwell
Fullwell es una organización sin ánimo de lucro con sede en la bahía de San Francisco que aboga por una política alimentaria local, estatal y federal que promueva la salud, la justicia y la sostenibilidad. Nos centramos en el desarrollo de políticas y programas en California relacionados con la red de seguridad alimentaria y la adquisición pública de alimentos que tienen el potencial de ser replicados en todo el país.
