This bill mandates that schools participating in the National School Lunch Program in New Jersey must offer at least one plant-based meal daily as part of their regular lunch service. It introduces new definitions, such as "electing student," who is defined as a student that has submitted a notice to select a plant-based meal, and "plant-based meal," which is a meal that does not contain any animal products. The process for students to elect this option requires prior written notice to the school food authority, which must then ensure sufficient quantities of plant-based meals are available within 30 days of receiving such notices. These meals must also meet the nutritional standards set by the United States Department of Agriculture.

Furthermore, the bill emphasizes the importance of educational campaigns to inform parents and guardians about the available school meal programs, including the new plant-based options. It requires the development of promotional materials detailing eligibility criteria for subsidized meals and the rights of students receiving these meals. Additionally, the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Education are tasked with adopting guidelines for uniformity in school meal information and monitoring compliance with the new provisions, including informing parents about the process for students to select plant-based meals.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 18A:33-3.2, 18A:33-27.1