NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A1834
SPONSOR: Rajkumar TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to requiring public
schools to offer plant-based food options in food service
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill would require public schools to offer plant-based food options
to a student upon request by a student or person in parental relation to
the student.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 adds a new section 915-a to the Education Law to:1. Require
that every public school shall offer a plant-based food option as an
alternative to meals or snacks upon a student or parent's request.
2. Require the school to respond in a reasonable manner and time to any
request made under this section.
3. Defines "plant-based food option" as free of animal products and, as
relates to the "protein" portion of a meal, as recognized by the US
Department of Agriculture as a meat alternative; and defines "animal
product" as meat, poultry, seafood, dairy, eggs, honey, and any deriva-
tive thereof.
4. Require schools to consult with school district nutrition advisory
committees established in section 918 of Education Law where applicable.
Section 2 is the effective date.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION (IF APPLICABLE):
JUSTIFICATION:
Plant-based diets (PBD) are those free of animal products such as meat,
seafood, dairy, and eggs. A 2016 United Nations Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO) report recommended PBD as beneficial both for health
and the environment. In 2017, the American Medical Association called on
hospitals to provide a variety of healthful food including plant-based
meals alongside recommendations to eliminate processed meats from hospi-
tal menus. Doctors also prescribe PBD for patients suffering from heart
disease, obesity, diabetes, and other conditions.
Diet is a major component of child development. Providing a PBD option
upon student or parent request ensures respect for children's dietary,
religious, or ethical needs. This legislation would not mandate schools
to fully change menus for all students, but rather provide PBD for any
students who request or whose parental relations request PBD. In meeting
such requests, schools shall work with their nutrition advisory commit-
tees if the district has such committee.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2017-2018: A. 10600 referred to education committee
2019-2020: A.301 referred to education committee
2021-2022: A.1624 referred to education committee
2023-2024: A3708 referred to education
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to public school
food service beginning with the school year, as defined in the education
law, beginning one year after it shall have become a law.
