Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires the Department of Education to apply for a waiver from the federal National School Lunch Act of 1966.

Highlights:

• Requires that kindergarten programs include instruction that emphasises the role and dietary importance of animal-based protein, dairy, vegetables, and fruit (Sec. 1).

• Requires that both 7th and 8th grade health curricula include instruction that emphasises the role and dietary importance of animal-based protein, dairy, vegetables, and fruit (Sec. 3).

• Requires the Iowa Department of Education to apply for a waiver under the National School Lunch Act of 1966 within 90 days of enactment to request the following to localize school lunch offerings (Sec. 4):

• Exemptions from sodium limits, whole grain requirements, and fruit and vegetable variety stipulations; and

• Permission to substitute or modify federal requirements with state-specific nutritional guidelines.

• Specifies that any new state-specific guidelines adopted as a result of the aforementioned waiver shall be at least as stringent as federal guidelines in promoting health and preventing chronic diseases (Sec. 4).

• Requires that any new state-specific guidelines adopted as a result of the aforementioned waiver shall prioritize the consumption of the following, in the order listed (Sec. 4):

• Animal-based protein;

• Dairy products;

• Vegetables; and 

• Fresh fruit.

• Requires that the Iowa Department of Education and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship establish a joint committee upon the approval of the aforementioned waiver to make recommendations relating to the establishment of state-specific nutritional guidelines (Sec. 4).

• Requires that the joint committee submit its findings to the legislature on or before the first June 30 following the effective date of the waiver (Sec. 4).

• Requires the Iowa Department of Education to evaluate to assess the effectiveness of the state-specific guidelines within 5 years of the effective date of the waiver (Sec. 4).

• Specifies that the aforementioned educational requirements shall apply to school years beginning on or after July 1, 2026 (Sec. 8).

Full Bill Text