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legislation and regulation

Operations

Lawmakers want comment period for proposed school nutrition standards to be extended

 By Benita Gingerella on Mar. 09, 2023

U.S. Senator John Boozman and U.S. Representative Virginia Foxx have written a letter to Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack asking for the comment period to be prolonged by 30 days.

Operations

Federal bill would permanently increase school meal reimbursement rates

 By Benita Gingerella on Mar. 08, 2023

Also in this week’s K-12 legislative update: Several states introduce or advance universal free meals bills, while others look to expand local procurement in schools.

Workforce

A big crackdown on child-labor violations is coming, White House says

By Peter Romeo on Mar. 01, 2023

The effort will beef up enforcement staffs, increase penalties and have federal agencies work up a national plan.

Operations

As a school district racks up $53K in meal debt, nutrition director believes there’s only one solution

By Benita Gingerella on Feb. 28, 2023

The meal debt problem is in lawmakers’ hands, says Dan Ellnor of Jefferson County Public Schools. School districts across the country have amassed more than $19 million in unpaid meal fees, according to a recent School Nutrition Association survey.

Operations

Federal bill pushes for whole milk in schools

By Benita Gingerella on Feb. 28, 2023

Also in this week’s K-12 legislative update: Illinois looks to reimburse schools for the actual cost of free meals, while New Jersey and Washington consider expanding free meal access.

Operations

Kentucky House passes bill to get rid of high school diploma requirement for cafeteria workers

By Benita Gingerella on Feb. 23, 2023

The bill is intended to expand the hiring pool as labor shortages keep plaguing schools.

Operations

New York bill that would require schools to provide plant-based, halal and kosher meals is reintroduced

By Benita Gingerella on Feb. 16, 2023

Students would be able to receive the alternative meals at no extra cost.

Operations

Nutrition teams worry changes to the USDA’s school meal standards will have unintended consequences

By Benita Gingerella on Feb. 16, 2023

Operators share how stricter rules for sodium and sugar would impact their programs, and what they think is missing from the proposed updates.

Operations

Lawmakers in Vermont and Nevada consider making universal free meals programs permanent

By Benita Gingerella on Feb. 15, 2023

Legislators in both states have introduced bills that would permanently offer free meals to all public school students.

Operations

Lawmakers introduce universal free meals bills in Maryland

By Benita Gingerella on Feb. 14, 2023

If passed, schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program would be required to offer free meals to all students each day.

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