AB 2535: School meals: California-grown agricultural and whole food products.

Existing law requires a school district, county superintendent of schools, or charter school maintaining kindergarten or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive, to make available a nutritionally adequate breakfast and a nutritionally adequate lunch, free of charge, during each schoolday to any pupil who requests a meal without consideration of the pupils eligibility for a federally funded free or reduced-price meal.

Existing law, beginning July 1, 2035, prohibits a school district, county superintendent of schools, or charter school maintaining kindergarten or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive, from offering a nutritionally adequate breakfast or lunch that includes restricted school foods or ultraprocessed foods of concern, as provided.

This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact future legislation to ensure that in reducing the consumption of ultraprocessed food by the children of California, the state promotes the inclusion of California-grown agricultural and whole food products in school meals, which are among the healthiest and most nutritious available, meeting the highest standards for quality, safety, and sustainability