This bill would add new pilot programs to the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. One pilot would give 3-year grants to eligible school food authorities to offer 100 percent plant-based meal options and related activities. Grant uses include staff training, paying staff for training or extra work, student engagement (taste tests and recipe work), and buying from local, organic, or underserved producers. The bill also adds a separate pilot to reimburse schools for the full cost of nondairy beverages that replace fluid milk for students with medical, religious, or other special dietary needs. Each pilot requires reports from schools and summaries to Congress and directs the Secretary to provide technical assistance. The bill defines eligible school food authorities as those with at least 50 percent of students eligible for free or reduced-price meals and sets priorities for collaboration, culturally appropriate meals, and use of organic or local producers.
If your school joins a pilot, students may see a 100 percent plant-based meal option and nondairy milk substitutes. Districts that serve many low-income students are more likely to get grants. Grants can pay for staff training and some extra work, cover outreach to local or organic farmers, and fund student taste tests and nutrition education. Schools in the nondairy beverage pilot can be reimbursed for the full cost of nondairy milk substitutes during the pilot period.
The bill authorizes $10,000,000 for the plant-based pilot for fiscal year 2026, available through fiscal year 2030. It authorizes $2,000,000 for the nondairy beverage pilot for fiscal year 2026, available until the pilot ends (3 years after enactment). Schools must pay any substitution costs that exceed reimbursements unless a grant covers those costs. No other cost estimates are provided in the text.
The text shows the bill is designed to help schools add plant-based meal choices and nondairy milk options, build staff skills through professional development, involve students with taste tests and education, and expand procurement from local, organic, or underserved producers. It requires recordkeeping and reporting so Congress can see results and asks the Secretary to share technical assistance and best practices.
No publicly available information.