Bill > HR739

This bill aims to expand the use of salad bars in schools by amending the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. Recognizing that one-third of school-aged children are overweight or obese and rarely eat recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables, the bill establishes a comprehensive plan to promote salad bars in schools participating in the National School Lunch Program. The plan includes creating a marketing and communications strategy, providing training and technical assistance to schools, and implementing a competitive grant program to help schools purchase and install salad bars. The grants will prioritize schools with high percentages of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunches, schools in food deserts, and those providing nutrition education. The Secretary of Agriculture is required to develop webinars, workshops, and implementation resources, and to submit a report within one year detailing the program's progress, including the number of schools with salad bars. The grant program will run for five years, and schools will receive a one-time payment to cover the cost of installing a salad bar. Importantly, the bill does not request additional funding, instead using existing allocated resources to support the initiative. The overall goal is to improve children's eating habits by encouraging greater consumption of fruits and vegetables through accessible and engaging salad bar options.

Education

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/739/all-info