BHB/2/11
Sponsored by Julia Pahos, Erin Mcdermott of Franklin High School
This legislation was filed in the Health category
Presented as part of the YIG Volunteer 2024 conference
| 1 | BE IT ENACTED BY THE TENNESSEE YMCA YOUTH IN GOVERNMENT |
| 2 | |
| 3 | Section 1: Purpose and Scope |
| 4 | This act aims to mandate healthy and inclusive school lunch programs in Tennessee, surpassing |
| 5 | the standards set by the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). It intends to promote the overall |
| 6 | well-being of students by ensuring access to nutritious meals and fostering inclusivity regardless of |
| 7 | socioeconomic status, dietary restrictions, or cultural preferences. |
| 8 | |
| 9 | Section 2: Establishment of Nutritional Guidelines |
| 10 | The Tennessee Department of Education, in collaboration with nutrition experts and stakeholders, |
| 11 | shall establish comprehensive nutritional guidelines for these school lunches. These guidelines |
| 12 | shall prioritize whole foods, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains, as well as limit the |
| 13 | use of processed foods, added sugars, and unhealthy fats. |
| 14 | |
| 15 | Section 3: Procurement of Locally Sourced and Sustainable Ingredients |
| 16 | School districts shall prioritize the procurement of locally sourced and sustainable ingredients for |
| 17 | school lunches whenever feasible. This section encourages partnerships with local farmers, |
| 18 | producers, and vendors to support the local economy and provide fresher, higher-quality |
| 19 | ingredients. |
| 20 | |
| 21 | Section 4: Accommodation of Dietary Restrictions and Preferences |
| 22 | Schools shall accommodate students with dietary restrictions, allergies, and cultural or religious |
| 23 | dietary preferences. Menus must offer diverse options that cater to various dietary needs, |
| 24 | including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and halal or kosher options, ensuring inclusivity for all |
| 25 | students. |
| 26 | |
| 27 | Section 5: Monitoring and Evaluation |
| 28 | The Tennessee Department of Education shall establish mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating |
| 29 | the implementation of this act. Regular assessments shall be conducted to ensure compliance with |
| 30 | nutritional guidelines, assess the quality of school meals, and gather feedback from students, |
| 31 | parents, and school staff. |
| 32 | |
| 33 | Section 6: Funding |
| 34 | There are currently around 1,800 public schools in Tennessee with 1,001,916 students altogether. |
| 35 | To ensure all schools have the adequate amount of funding to accommodate the implementation of |
| 36 | this bill, it will require approximately $60 Million. |
| 37 | |
| 38 | Section 7: Enforcement and Penalties School districts failing to comply with the provisions of this |
| 39 | |
| 40 | Tennessee Department of Education. However, efforts shall be made to support non-compliant |
| 41 | districts in achieving compliance before resorting to punitive measures. |
| 42 | |
| 43 | Section 8: Sever-ability |
| 44 | If any provision of this act is deemed invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall |
| 45 | remain in effect to the fullest extent permitted by law. |
| 46 | |
| 47 | Section 9: Amendments to this act may be made by the Tennessee Legislature through the regular |
| 48 | legislative process to address evolving nutritional standards, best practices, or emerging needs in |
| 49 | school lunch programs. |
| 50 |