This bill mandates that all public schools in New Jersey adhere to the more stringent nutrition standards for the National School Lunch Program and federal School Breakfast Program that were established by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 2012. The legislation emphasizes the importance of maintaining these standards to combat the rising rates of child and adolescent obesity, which currently stands at 14.8 percent in New Jersey. The bill highlights the operational challenges schools have faced in meeting these standards but notes that compliance has significantly improved, with at least 90 percent of schools meeting the requirements by 2016.

The bill specifically requires public schools to comply with the nutrition standards published in Volume 77, Number 17 of the Federal Register dated January 26, 2012, or any more stringent standards that may be adopted. This is in response to recent announcements by the USDA to relax certain nutrition standards, such as those related to grains, flavored milks, and sodium. By enforcing the 2012 standards, the bill aims to ensure that schools continue to provide healthier meal options that can help prevent chronic diseases and support the overall health and learning capabilities of students.