This bill addresses the growing concern of child and adolescent obesity in New Jersey, which currently affects 14.8% of children aged 10 to 17. It emphasizes the importance of adhering to updated federal nutrition standards established by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. The bill outlines the necessity for public and nonpublic schools participating in the National School Lunch Program and federal School Breakfast Program to comply with these nutrition standards, which include requirements for whole grains, reduced sodium content, and limits on added sugars in various food items. The compliance deadline for these standards is set for July 1, 2027.

The legislation mandates that all reimbursable meals served under these programs must meet the current nutrition standards as of July 1, 2024, or any stricter standards that may be adopted in the future. It also defines "competitive foods" as any food and beverage items sold on school campuses outside of the USDA meal programs during the school day. The act is set to take effect immediately and will first apply to the 2025-2026 school year, reinforcing the state's commitment to reducing obesity rates among its youth through improved nutrition in schools.