Sec. 604. Plant-based foods in schools
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Section 18 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1769 ) is amended by adding after subsection
(c)the following: The Secretary shall establish and carry out a pilot grant program to award grants to eligible school food authorities to carry out the activities described in paragraph (4). The term of a grant awarded under this subsection shall be 3 years. In awarding grants under this subsection, the Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, award grants of diverse amounts. To be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection, 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— a participatory evaluation plan; and a plan for providing culturally appropriate meals. To the maximum extent practicable, in awarding grants under this subsection, the Secretary shall give priority to an eligible school food authority that— will use the grant funds to— serve a high proportion of children who are eligible for free or reduced price meals; demonstrate collaboration with nongovernmental and community-based organizations, agricultural producers, and other community partners on the activities described in paragraph (4); and incorporate experiential and culturally appropriate food, nutrition, or agricultural education activities related to 100 percent plant-based food options in the classroom; and meets any other criteria that the Secretary determines appropriate. A grant awarded under this subsection may be used for any of the following activities: To contract with qualified third parties for professional development training for food service personnel on serving (including preparing, procuring, marketing, and creating menus) 100 percent plant-based food options. To provide compensation, for each employee who participates in the professional development training described in subparagraph (A), at the regular rate of pay of each such employee. 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. To provide compensation for additional work relating to serving meals that include a 100 percent plant-based food option. To conduct outreach to, and cover costs of procurement of foods from, agricultural producers of 100 percent plant-based food options, including— underserved or limited resource producers; and local farmers. Each eligible school food authority awarded a grant under this subsection shall keep records of the 100 percent plant-based food options served pursuant to this subsection as the Secretary determines appropriate. Not later than 1 year after receiving a grant under this subsection, and annually for the duration of the pilot grant program thereafter, a school food authority shall submit to the Secretary a report on the pilot grant program, including information on— the number of 100 percent plant-based food options that the school food authority served during the grant period compared with the preceding school year; the number of schools served by the school food authority pursuant to the grant; the number of students served by the school food authority pursuant to the grant; and how the school food authority used the grant funds. Not later than 1 year after the end of a school year during which the Secretary receives reports required under subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that includes a summary of such reports received and such information with respect to the pilot program as the Secretary determines to be relevant. The Secretary shall provide technical assistance and information to assist school food authorities— to facilitate the coordination and sharing of information and resources that may be applicable to the activities described in paragraph (4); and to collect and share information on best practices. There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2024, to remain available through fiscal year 2028. In this subsection: The term 100 percent plant-based food option means a breakfast or lunch meal option or component that— includes a meat alternate as described in— section 210.10 of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations); or appendix A to part 210 of 7, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations); and does not contain any animal products or byproducts, such as meat, poultry, honey, fish, dairy, or eggs. The term beginning farmer or rancher has the meaning given such term in section 343(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act ( 7 U.S.C. 1991(a) ). The term eligible school food authority means a school food authority for which 50 percent or more of the students served by such school food authority 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 ). The term underserved producer means an individual (including a member of an Indian Tribe) that is— a beginning farmer or rancher; a veteran farmer or rancher; or a socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher. The term veteran farmer or rancher has the meaning given such term in section 2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 ( 7 U.S.C. 2279(a) ). .
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