Plant-based foods in schools

Section 18 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1769) is amended by inserting after subsection (c) the following: (d) Pilot program for 100 percent plant-Based food options (1) Definitions In this subsection: (A) 100 percent plant-based food option The term 100 percent plant-based food option means a breakfast or lunch meal option or component that— (i) includes a meat alternate as described in— (I) section 210.10 of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations); or (II) appendix A to part 210 of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations); and (ii) does not contain any animal product or byproduct, such as meat, poultry, honey, fish, dairy, or eggs. (B) Beginning farmer or rancher The term beginning farmer or rancher has the meaning given the term in section 343(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)). (C) Certified organic farm The term certified organic farm has the meaning given the term in section 2103 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6502). (D) Eligible school food authority The term eligible school food authority means a school food authority that serves students 50 percent or more of which are eligible for free or reduced price lunch under this Act or free or reduced price breakfast under section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773). (E) Organically produced The term organically produced has the meaning given the term in section 2103 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6502). (F) Producer The term producer has the meaning given the term in section 2103 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6502). (G) Program The term program means the pilot program established under paragraph (2). (H) Underserved producer The term underserved producer means an individual (including a member of an Indian Tribe) that is— (i) a beginning farmer or rancher; (ii) a veteran farmer or rancher (as defined in section 2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(a))); or (iii) a socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher (as defined in that section). (2) Establishment Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of the Plant-Powered School Meals Pilot Act, the Secretary shall establish a pilot program to award grants to eligible school food authorities to carry out the activities described in paragraph (5). (3) Grants (A) Term The term of a grant awarded under the program shall be 3 years. (B) Amount The Secretary shall award grants under the program in diverse amounts to the extent practicable. (4) Application (A) In general To be eligible to receive a grant under the program, an eligible school food authority shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including— (i) a participatory evaluation plan; and (ii) a plan for providing culturally appropriate meals. (B) Priority To the maximum extent practicable, in awarding grants under the program, the Secretary shall give priority to an eligible school food authority that will use the grant funds— (i) to serve a high proportion of children who are eligible for free or reduced price meals; (ii) to collaborate with nongovernmental and community-based organizations, agricultural producers, and other community partners with respect to the activities described in paragraph (5); (iii) to incorporate experiential and culturally appropriate plant-based food, nutrition, or agricultural education activities related to 100 percent plant-based food options in the classroom; (iv) to incorporate organically produced 100 percent plant-based food options; and (v) to meet any other criteria that the Secretary determines appropriate. (5) Use of funds A grant awarded under the program may be used for any of the following activities: (A) To contract with qualified third parties for professional development training for food service personnel relating to serving (including preparing, procuring, marketing, and creating menus) 100 percent plant-based food options. (B) To provide compensation to each employee who participates in the professional development training described in subparagraph (A) at the regular rate of pay of such employee. (C) To provide technical assistance and student engagement and education on 100 percent plant-based food options, including providing taste tests, recipe development, and culinary education. (D) To provide compensation for additional work relating to serving meals that include a 100 percent plant-based food option. (E) To conduct outreach to, and cover costs of procurement of foods from, agricultural producers of 100 percent plant-based food options, including— (i) underserved producers; (ii) limited resource farmers or ranchers (as defined by the Secretary); (iii) producers on a certified organic farm; and (iv) local farmers. (6) Recordkeeping required Each eligible school food authority awarded a grant under the program shall keep records of the 100 percent plant-based food options served, as the Secretary determines appropriate. (7) Reports (A) School food authorities Not later than 1 year after receiving a grant under the program, and annually for the duration of the grant term, an eligible school food authority shall submit to the Secretary a report on the activities carried out using the grant, including information on— (i) the number of 100 percent plant-based food options that the eligible school food authority served during the grant period compared with the preceding school year; (ii) the number of schools served by the eligible school food authority pursuant to the grant; and (iii) the number of students served by the eligible school food authority pursuant to the grant. (B) Report by Secretary With respect to each school year during which the Secretary receives a report under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall, not later than 1 year after the date that is the last day of that school year, submit to Congress a report that includes— (i) a summary of the reports received during that school year; and (ii) such information with respect to the program as the Secretary determines to be relevant. (8) Technical assistance The Secretary shall provide technical assistance and information to assist eligible school food authorities receiving grants under the program— (A) to facilitate the coordination and sharing of information and resources that may be applicable to the activities described in paragraph (5); and (B) to collect and share information on best practices. (9) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2026, to remain available through fiscal year 2030..