H.R. 739: Salad Bars in Schools Expansion Act

The Salad Bars in Schools Expansion Act aims to encourage healthier eating habits among school-aged children by promoting the implementation of salad bars in schools participating in the National School Lunch Program. It recognizes that a significant number of children in the U.S. are overweight or obese and do not meet the recommended intake of fruits and vegetables.

Key Findings

• One-third of school-aged children are overweight or obese, while few consume the necessary daily fruits and vegetables.
• Over 30 million children participate in the National School Lunch Program each day, with the majority qualifying for free or reduced-price meals.
• Serving more fruits and vegetables in school meals can enhance children's diets and overall health.
• Research shows that salad bars effectively increase children's consumption of a variety of fruits and vegetables.
• Salad bars help schools comply with nutrition standards that require serving fruits and vegetables.
• Salad bars encourage students to try new foods and demonstrate a commitment to health and wellness in schools.

Main Provisions

• The Secretary of Agriculture is required to establish a marketing and communications plan to promote salad bars within 90 days of the bill's enactment.
• The plan will include training and technical assistance for schools, encompassing webinars, workshops, nutrition education, and strategies for parental engagement.

Grant Program

• A competitive grant program will be established to provide funding to eligible entities that can assist schools in setting up salad bars.
• Schools receiving grants can use the funds for the installation cost of salad bars, including durable equipment necessary for operation.
• Priority for grants will be given to entities serving schools with a high percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunches, those in food deserts, or those providing nutrition education.
• The grant program is set to terminate five years after the bill's enactment.

Reporting and Evaluation

• Grantees will need to submit evaluations of their programs to the Secretary of Agriculture for oversight and accountability.
• Within a year of the law's enactment, the Secretary must report on the status of salad bar programs and make recommendations for further promotion of salad bars in schools.
• After submitting the report, the Secretary is tasked with revising existing guidance regarding salad bars in the National School Lunch Program.

Funding

No new federal funds will be authorized specifically for this Act. Implementation will occur using existing funding allocated for similar purposes.

Definitions

• Durable equipment: Food-related equipment exceeding $500 in value.
• Eligible entity: Defined as schools or school food authorities.
• Food desert: Areas with low-income residents having limited access to grocery stores or healthy food options.

Relevant Companies

• SYRS - Sysco Corporation: Being a major food distributor that serves schools, Sysco could see changes in the demand for fresh produce and salad bar components as schools implement this act.
• USFD - US Foods Holding Corp.: Similar to Sysco, US Foods distributes food products and may experience changes in orders related to salad bars and fresh produce.