New Jersey school nutrition bills would support local procurement and take on school meal junk fees

It was a busy week at the state level regarding school nutrition legislation. New Jersey lawmakers introduced two bills that would impact school nutrition programs in the state, while Missouri and South Carolina introduced legislation to provide free school breakfast and lunch to all students. 

Here’s the latest in school nutrition legislation. 

New Jersey lawmakers introduce two school nutrition bills 

Lawmakers in New Jersey have introduced two bills that would impact school nutrition programs in the state. 

The first, A5093, would require schools to give preference to purchasing food from farmers and suppliers located within 100 miles of the destination school when looking to purchase local foods for their meal programs. 

The bill has been referred to the Assembly Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture Committee. 

The second bill, S3961 would direct the board of education to offer a no-fee option for parents and guardians making school meal payments. In addition, the bill would require processing platforms to inform users of any fees. 

Junk fees in relation to school meal payments have been in the limelight recently at the federal level as well. Earlier this fall, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that families who qualify for free and reduced priced meals at school will no longer have to pay meal processing fees. 

The change will go into effect at the start of the 2027-28 school year.

A report released earlier this year by the Consumer Protection Financial Bureau found that processors usually charge fees to add money to students’ school lunch accounts. On average, these extra fees cost $2.37, or 4.4%, of the total transaction. 

Missouri bill would establish universal free school meals program 

Missouri is one of the latest states to file a bill that would establish a universal free school meals program. 

SB172 would set up the Missouri Free School Meals which would provide all students attending schools in the state that participate in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Programs free breakfast and lunch each day at school. 

This is the second bill introduced in the state that would provide free school meals to students. Earlier this month lawmakers also introduced  SB 131 would provide free meals to students in the state who qualify for reduced-price meals. 

Missouri is not the only state that has recently introduced universal free school meal legislation. Lawmakers in Florida and Tennessee are hoping to pass universal free school meals bills next year as well. 

South Carolina bill would provide universal free school meals and 30-minute lunch 

South Carolina is following in Missouri’s footsteps. 

Lawmakers have introduced S0147 which would provide free breakfast and lunch to all schools in the state that participate in the School Breakfast Program. 

In addition, the bill would require schools to offer at least a 30-minute lunch period for all students, so they have enough time to eat. 

The bill has been referred to the Committee on Education.