1.1 A bill for an act
1.2 relating to education; requiring public schools to offer plant-based meal options;
1.3 proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 124D.
1.4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.5 Section 1. [124D.1141] PLANT-BASED SCHOOL MEAL OPTIONS.
1.6 Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have
1.7 the meanings given.
1.8 (b) "Plant-based meal option" means a meal that does not include animal products of
1.9 any kind, including meat, poultry, fish, dairy, or eggs. This definition encompasses all meal
1.10 components, including a fluid milk. The meal may include food derived from plants,
1.11 including but not limited to fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, and plant-based
1.12 products approved for kindergarten through grade 12 food service, ensuring a balanced and
1.13 nutritionally adequate option.
1.14 (c) "School nutrition teams" means the staff and administrators responsible for meal
1.15 planning, preparation, and service within a school or district, including but not limited to
1.16 nutritionists, dietitians, cooks, food service providers, and food service managers.
1.17 (d) "Upon prior request" means a request in writing, made by or on behalf of a student
1.18 for a plant-based meal option, submitted to the school nutrition team.
1.19 Subd. 2.Plant-based meal option requirement, (a) Beginning with the 2026-2027
1.20 school year, each public school, including charter schools, within Minnesota that participates
1.21 in the National School Lunch Program must offer at least one plant-based meal option daily
1.22 as part of the regular lunch food service offerings to students upon prior request.
2.1 (b) School nutrition teams must provide at least one plant-based meal option daily as
2.2 part of the regular food service offerings to students who submit a prior request within four
2.3 weeks of the receipt of the request.
2.4 (c) Schools must make information regarding the availability of plant-based meal options
2.5 and the process for making a request readily available to students, parents, and guardians
2.6 in a manner that is accessible and comprehensible.
2.7 (d) All plant-based meal options must comply with federal nutrition guidelines for school
2.8 food to ensure the meals meet the dietary needs of students.
2.9 Subd. 3.Implementation. (a) The Department of Education must develop and provide
2.10 guidelines to assist schools in implementing the plant-based meal option requirement,
2.11 including but not limited to resources for developing plant-based meal options, training for
2.12 school nutrition teams, and strategies for efficiently managing requests.
2.13 (b) The department must monitor compliance with this section and may take appropriate
2.14 actions against schools that fail to comply, as determined by the commissioner of education.
2.15 Subd. 4.Reporting. Each public school must report annually to the department, in the
2.16 form and manner determined by the commissioner, on the implementation of this section,
2.17 including the number of plant-based meal options offered, the number of requests received
2.18 and fulfilled, and any challenges encountered in the implementation process.
2.19 EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2026, and applies to meals
2.20 served on or after the first day of the 2026-2027 school year.
