The bill aims to amend and reenact section 18-5D-3 of the Code of West Virginia to establish clear guidelines for nutritionally adequate school breakfasts and lunches, aligning them with the standards set by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. It introduces definitions for "nutritionally adequate breakfast" and "nutritionally adequate lunch," which are based on the most current meal patterns for the federal School Breakfast Program and the National School Lunch Program. The bill mandates that each county board of education must provide these meals to all students, ensuring they meet the USDA standards and limiting added sugars in accordance with federal guidelines.

Additionally, the bill outlines the responsibilities of county boards of education, including the requirement to adopt approved delivery systems for breakfast and collaborate with the state Office of Child Nutrition to increase participation in school meal programs. It also emphasizes the importance of monitoring meal participation and attendance statistics. The bill includes provisions for the Feed to Achieve initiative, which aims to provide free meals to elementary students as funding allows, and allows county boards to use nonprofit funds to support these programs. Furthermore, it clarifies that classroom teachers are not obligated to participate in the breakfast program as part of their regular duties.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-5D-3