Here’s a draft for a bill aimed at providing free, organic school lunches to all students from kindergarten through 12th grade, excluding items like soda, candy, and highly processed foods:
Title: Comprehensive Organic School Meals Act
Preamble:
Whereas, nutrition plays a critical role in the cognitive and physical development of children;
Whereas, the current school meal programs have varied success in providing nutritious food options that meet the dietary needs of students;
Whereas, there is a growing body of evidence supporting the benefits of organic food consumption in reducing exposure to harmful pesticides and promoting healthier eating habits;
Therefore, be it enacted by the [Legislative Body] of [State/Country]:
Section 1: Short Title
This Act may be cited as the “Comprehensive Organic School Meals Act of 2025”.
Section 2: Purpose
The purpose of this Act is to ensure that all students in public schools from Kindergarten through Grade 12 have access to nutritious, organic meals during school hours to promote health, academic performance, and environmental awareness.
Section 3: Definitions
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Organic: Foods produced in accordance with the USDA organic standards, which prohibit the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
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Processed Foods: Foods that undergo several mechanical or chemical operations resulting in significant changes to the food, including the addition of preservatives, flavors, or other artificial ingredients, excluding minimally processed foods like washed fruits and vegetables, or pasteurized milk.
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Unhealthy Foods: Includes sugary drinks like soda, candy, and foods high in trans fats, sodium, or added sugars beyond natural levels.
Section 4: Free Organic Meals
(a) Eligibility: All students enrolled in public schools from Kindergarten through Grade 12 are eligible to receive one free organic breakfast and one free organic lunch each school day.
(b) Meal Standards:
- Meals shall be composed entirely of organic produce, meats, dairy, and grains, adhering to the federal dietary guidelines for promoting health.
- No meals shall include:
- Sugary beverages, including soda, sports drinks, or sweetened iced teas.
- Candy or sweets with added sugars.
- Highly processed foods as defined, excluding those foods which are minimally processed for safety or preservation like organic frozen vegetables or fruits.
(c) Implementation:
- The [State Department of Education] shall:
- Develop nutritional guidelines specifically for organic food procurement in schools.
- Provide training for school food service staff on organic meal preparation, nutritional value, and compliance with this Act.
- Assist schools in establishing contracts with organic food suppliers.
Section 5: Funding
- The Act shall be funded through:
- Reallocation of existing school meal program funds with additional state subsidies for the cost differential between conventional and organic foods.
- Establishment of grants for school districts to transition to organic food programs, including infrastructure like kitchen equipment upgrades for organic food preparation.
- Encouragement of federal matching funds or block grants specifically for organic school meal programs.
Section 6: Compliance and Monitoring
- Regular audits by the [State Department of Education] to ensure compliance with organic standards and meal quality.
- Schools must maintain records of organic certification for all food items served, available for state audits.
Section 7: Promotion and Education
- Schools are encouraged to integrate nutrition education into the curriculum, emphasizing the benefits of organic foods and sustainable agriculture.
- Establishment of school gardens where feasible, to educate students on food origins and promote hands-on learning about organic farming.
Section 8: Effective Date
This Act shall take effect on the first day of the school year following its passage, allowing time for schools to prepare for implementation.
Section 9: Severability
If any provision of this Act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of the Act which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this Act are severable.
This draft should be adjusted for the specific legal and educational contexts of the state or country it’s being proposed in, and it would likely require further detailing in terms of funding mechanisms, compliance specifics, and educational components. The bill also assumes a willingness to invest in organic food systems, which might require additional advocacy to gain political and public support.