Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to address school food waste and improve nutrition for students in Minnesota by offering free milk during lunch, even if students do not participate in the full school lunch program. The bill aims to ensure that all kindergartners and other students have access to milk and to reduce food waste in schools.

Main Provisions

• Kindergarten Milk Program: All kindergarten students in public and nonpublic schools are to be provided with one serving of milk each school day under the state-supported program. Schools are encouraged, but not required, to participate.
• Lunch Milk Program: Similarly, all schools are encouraged to participate in a program offering a half-pint of milk to any student who does not partake in the school lunch program but desires milk during lunch. This program aims to reduce unnecessary food waste.
• Reimbursement: The bill mandates reimbursement for schools providing milk. Schools will be reimbursed 20 cents for each half-pint of milk provided to kindergartners outside of a full meal context. The reimbursement rate for older students bringing meals from home or opting out of free school lunches will be 50 cents per half-pint of milk, or a rate set by the USDA if higher.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The introduction of the new programs that allow students access to just milk without taking a full school lunch is a significant change. This includes structured reimbursement procedures that specify funding amounts and aim to facilitate the implementation of these milk programs.
• The focus on reducing food waste is highlighted with the provision that students can take milk independently, avoiding situations where they only consume milk and leave the rest of a full lunch untouched.

Relevant Terms

school food waste, free school milk, kindergarten milk program, lunch milk program, school lunch, reimbursement, public and nonpublic schools, nutritional benefit.