This bill mandates that each school district with middle or high schools establish a food services advisory committee to evaluate and recommend school breakfast and lunch menu options that align with the cultural, traditional, and dietary preferences of students, including vegetarian and vegan options. The committee will consist of various members, including a principal, a food services employee, the chief school administrator or a designee, at least four students, and one or more parents. The committee is required to meet at least three times a year and must consider factors such as available funding, equipment limitations, and nutritional value when making recommendations. Any new menu options must comply with the nutritional standards set by the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs.
To assess the need for such a committee, school districts must distribute a written form to students to identify any unmet food preferences, which will also be available on the district's website. The chief school administrator has the discretion to suspend the committee's requirements for one school year if no unmet preferences are indicated or if the responses are minimal. Additionally, if a school district already has a student grievance resolution method that includes student representation, that body may replace the food services advisory committee, provided it meets the established requirements.