Amendment #759 to H4000

Implementing School Meals Recommendations

Mr. Vargas of Haverhill moves to amend the bill by adding the following sections—

SECTION XX.  Chapter 69 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding at the end thereof the following sections:--

Section 38.  (a) The office for food and nutrition programs, shall annually provide school food authorities with nutrition goals and guidelines which shall be commensurate with the recommendations of the school meal nutrition standards commission established in section 77 of Chapter 28 of the Acts of 2024. The goals shall include, but not be limited to:--

(1) Reduce sugar content of offerings without adding in nonnutritive sweeteners.

(2) Increase the dietary fiber content of meals offered.

(3) Offer beans, peas, and lentils more than once a week with the goal of three or more times per week.

(4) Limit the amount of saturated fat and cholesterol in school meals.

(5) Limit ultra-processed products or limit products that are ultra-processed.

6) Provide vegetarian and vegan options daily, or as often as feasible.

7) Provide meal accommodations for religious, cultural, medical and non-medical dietary restrictions, including, but not limited to, food allergies and lactose intolerance as often as feasible.

8) Allot time to 30 minutes for lunchtime with a minimum of 20 minutes seat time and scheduling a recess before a designated lunch period, when feasible.

SECTION XY.  Item 1596-2422 of section 2 of chapter 140 of the acts of 20 is hereby amended by striking the words, “and (iii) options to reform, modify or extend the program in a manner that promotes equity, maximizes federal funds and improves predictability and sustainability of funding” and inserting in place thereof the words:- (iv) goals and guidelines made to each school district pursuant to section 38 of chapter 69 general laws, as inserted by Section XX of this act; (v) recommendations of the school nutrition advisory council; and (vi) options to reform, modify or extend the program in a manner that promotes equity, maximizes federal funds and improves predictability and sustainability of funding”

SECTION XY. The board of elementary and secondary education shall establish a school nutrition advisory council to advise the commissioner of elementary and secondary education on implementation of section 38 of chapter 69 general laws, as inserted by Section XX of this act. The nutrition advisory council shall 1) provide ongoing guidance in the development of comprehensive strengthened nutrition standards aligned with the most current public health guidance and evidence-based nutrition standards 2) provide ongoing feasibility assessments, 3) work with school food authorities and stakeholders to reduce barriers to feasibility of implementation on issues including but not limited to procurement, facilities and workforce training. The members of the council shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed, subject to appropriation, for expenses necessarily and reasonably incurred in the performance of the member’s responsibilities. The council shall consist of 11 members including 6 members to be appointed by the governor, who shall be school nutrition operators or registered dieticians representing geographically, racially and socio-economically diverse school districts across the commonwealth; a representative from Project Bread – The Walk for Hunger, Inc.; a representative from the School Nutrition Association of Massachusetts, Inc.; and a representative from the Massachusetts Healthy School Lunch Coalition.  Members shall be appointed for a term of 3 years. Members serving on the council shall represent a reasonable statewide geographic balance. The council shall meet not less than four times each year. The council shall elect a chair to serve for a term of three years who may appoint other officers as necessary.

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #759 to H4000

Implementing School Meals Recommendations