Bill
Bill > S537
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill promotes healthy food choices in school cafeterias by encouraging school districts, public schools, and nonpublic schools to adopt the strategies of The Smarter Lunchroom Movement. The Smarter Lunchroom Movement was founded by researchers at the Cornell Center for Behavioral Economics in Child Nutrition Programs and offers simple, low to no-cost evidence-based tools that improve child eating behaviors in school cafeterias. The bill requires the Commissioner of Education to make every effort to assist, guide, and support school districts, public schools, and nonpublic schools in planning, establishing, and implementing the strategies of The Smarter Lunchroom Movement. Strategies include highlighting fruit and other nutritional foods by placing them near the cash register and placing the most nutrient-filled entre first in the serving line and first on the menu board. The bill also requires that information on The Smarter Lunchroom Movement be available for public inspection on the Department of Education's Internet site in a user-friendly, plain language format. In New Jersey, nearly 24.7 percent of children aged 10 through 17 are classified overweight or obese. Because many of the over 1.37 million children enrolled in New Jersey public schools rely upon school cafeterias for their breakfast and lunch meals, schools are in an influential position to combat this growing trend. By implementing the strategies of The Smarter Lunchroom Movement, schools can have a positive and lasting impact on the overall health of students in the State.
AI Summary
This bill, known as "The Smarter Lunchroom Act," aims to improve the health of students in New Jersey by encouraging schools to adopt strategies from The Smarter Lunchroom Movement, a program developed by researchers at Cornell University that uses simple, evidence-based, low-cost methods to encourage healthier eating habits in school cafeterias. The Commissioner of Education is tasked with assisting schools in implementing these strategies, which include making healthy foods like fruits more visible by placing them near the cash register, giving nutritious food items appealing names, and positioning the most nutrient-dense main dishes at the beginning of serving lines and on menus. The bill also mandates that information about The Smarter Lunchroom Movement, including its definition, a link to its website, examples of strategies, and a self-assessment tool, be made publicly available on the Department of Education's website in an easy-to-understand format, addressing the significant issue of childhood obesity in New Jersey where nearly 24.7 percent of children aged 10-17 are overweight or obese and many rely on school meals.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S537 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S1000/537_I1.HTM |
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