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HR5867119th CongressWALLET

Plant-Powered School Meals Pilot Act

Sponsored By: Representative Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7]

Introduced

Summary

Creates a pilot grant program to fund 100 percent plant-based school breakfasts and lunches. The program would award three-year grants to eligible school food authorities to offer culturally appropriate plant-based options while partnering with local, organic, and underserved producers.

Show full summary
  • Students and families: Participating schools would offer fully plant-based breakfast and/or lunch options, with priority for school food authorities that serve at least 50% of students eligible for free or reduced-price meals.
  • School food authorities and workers: Grants could pay for staff training, employee compensation for training or extra work, taste tests, recipe development, technical assistance, and procurement costs to help serve plant-based meals.
  • Farmers and producers: The program would fund outreach and purchases from local, organically produced, beginning, veteran, and socially disadvantaged producers, including limited-resource farmers.
  • Administration and learning: The Secretary would collect records, require annual and term-end reports on schools and students served, and share best practices and technical assistance across participants.

*Would authorize $10.0 million for fiscal year 2026, available through fiscal year 2030, to carry out the pilot.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

New rules for milk substitutes at school

If enacted, schools would have to give a milk substitute when a disability limits a student’s diet. For medical or other special diets (not ADA/504), schools would need to provide a nondairy drink that meets the student’s nutrition needs. With a written request from the student or a parent, schools would have to offer a nondairy drink that is nutritionally equal to milk and meets USDA standards. Schools could also offer these drinks on their own if they meet those standards. The bill would also make clear that schools can swap foods to meet medical, religious, or other special diets. Except for the separate nondairy pilot, any extra costs beyond normal reimbursements would be paid by the school food authority.

Grants for plant-based school meals

The bill would create 3-year grants to help eligible school districts add 100% plant-based breakfasts or lunches with no animal products. Eligible districts would generally serve schools where at least 50% of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Priority could go to districts serving many low‑income students and those that partner with community groups, teach plant-based food in class, and use organic options. Money could fund staff training and pay, taste tests, recipe work, and buying from local, organic, and underserved producers. Schools would track results and report each year; USDA would provide help and report to Congress. It would authorize $10 million for FY2026, available through FY2030.

Pilot to fund nondairy drinks at school

If enacted, USDA would start a pilot within 90 days to reimburse schools for the full cost of nondairy drinks when milk is not right due to a medical or other special diet (not ADA/504). Eligible school food authorities would serve schools where at least 50% of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals. USDA could prioritize districts with many students who are lactose intolerant or that show clear need. Schools would file annual and final reports; USDA would report to Congress within 6 months after the pilot ends. The pilot would end 3 years after enactment and would have $2 million for FY2026, available until it ends.

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Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7]

NY • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 10/28/2025

  • Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank," Jr. [D-GA-4]

    GA • D

    Sponsored 10/28/2025

  • Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

    DC • D

    Sponsored 10/28/2025

  • Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 10/28/2025

  • Simon

    CA • D

    Sponsored 10/28/2025

  • Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12]

    NC • D

    Sponsored 10/28/2025

  • Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 10/28/2025

  • McBath

    GA • D

    Sponsored 10/28/2025

  • Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 10/28/2025

  • Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 11/12/2025

  • Rep. Subramanyam, Suhas [D-VA-10]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 11/18/2025

  • Friedman

    CA • D

    Sponsored 11/18/2025

  • Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 12/16/2025

  • Rep. Carson, Andre [D-IN-7]

    IN • D

    Sponsored 1/8/2026

  • Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 1/8/2026

  • Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 4/13/2026

  • Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 4/13/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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