Bill > A01087

This bill enacts the "Making Equitable and Alternative Lunches (MEAL) Act", which requires all public schools to provide three specific alternative meal and snack options to students: plant-based, halal, and kosher. The bill defines a plant-based food option as food free of animal products that is recognized by the USDA as a meat alternate, and defines animal products as including meat, poultry, seafood, dairy, eggs, and honey. Students and their parents will be able to select one of these alternative options at the start of the school year and two additional times during the school year. Importantly, these alternative meal options must be provided at no additional cost beyond what would be charged for a standard meal option. The legislation will take effect immediately but will apply to public school food services starting in the school year one year after the bill becomes law, giving schools time to prepare and implement the new requirements. The goal of the bill appears to be increasing food choice and accommodating diverse dietary needs and restrictions in public school settings.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A1087