The bill aims to amend and update the West Virginia Code regarding school nutrition programs, specifically under the West Virginia Feed to Achieve Act. It introduces new definitions for "nutritionally adequate breakfast" and "nutritionally adequate lunch," aligning them with the most current federal meal patterns as defined in the Code of Federal Regulations. The bill mandates that each county board of education must provide nutritionally adequate meals to all students, adhering to both state and USDA standards, and specifies that these meals should not exceed the added sugar limits set by federal programs. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of maximizing federal funding to ensure that meals are provided at no cost to students.

Furthermore, the bill outlines the responsibilities of county boards of education, including the requirement to adopt approved breakfast delivery systems and collaborate with the state Office of Child Nutrition to enhance participation in school meal programs. It also establishes a framework for monitoring meal participation and attendance, and mandates annual reporting on the impacts of the Feed to Achieve Act. The bill allows for the use of nonprofit funds to support free meal programs and clarifies that teachers are not obligated to participate in the breakfast program as part of their regular duties. Overall, the legislation seeks to enhance the nutritional quality of school meals and ensure accessibility for all students.

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