This bill establishes a universal free school breakfast and lunch program for all public school students in Florida, amending existing statutes to define relevant terms and outline the program's requirements. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is tasked with implementing this program, which will provide eligible breakfast and lunch meals at no cost to students in grades K-12. The bill deletes previous provisions that required school districts to charge for breakfast programs and only encouraged certain districts to provide free meals, thereby expanding the program's reach to all public schools. Additionally, it revises the information that school districts must provide to parents regarding meal availability and allows for offsite food preparation locations.

Key amendments include the introduction of terms such as "community eligibility provision" and "special assistance alternative," which facilitate the program's operation and funding. The bill also mandates that school districts maximize access to federal funds and participate in the National School Breakfast and Lunch Programs. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of increasing student participation in the program and requires districts to communicate meal availability effectively to parents. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 74 Filed: 595.402, 595.405, 595.404