US Representatives Velázquez and Adams introduce Plant Powered School Meals Pilot Act to expand plant-based options in US schools

Representatives Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) and Alma Adams (D-NC) have introduced the Plant Powered School Meals Pilot Act, a new bill designed to help schools across the USA serve more nutritious, plant-based entrée options.

Announced on 28 October, the legislation would establish a voluntary federal grant program to support school districts in offering healthier, climate-conscious, and culturally inclusive meal choices for students.

“Our children deserve meals that nourish their bodies and protect their future,” said Velázquez. “I’m proud to introduce the Plant Powered School Meals Pilot Act, which will give our students the option of a plant-based entrée. As rates of childhood obesity continue to rise, expanding access to nutritious, plant-based meals is a simple, commonsense step toward building a healthier generation and a more sustainable planet.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), roughly 39% of New York City public school students in kindergarten through eighth grade are overweight or obese, and one in five children and adolescents nationwide are affected by obesity. The bill’s sponsors argue that providing more plant-based options in school cafeterias could play a vital role in reversing these trends and supporting long-term public health.

Adams, a former educator, emphasized the importance of food in learning environments. “As a former educator of 40 years, I know how important it is that schools can nourish the minds, bodies, and souls of their students,” she said. “I am proud to introduce the Plant Powered School Meals Pilot Act to provide healthier school meal options to our children and ensure we are meeting each student’s dietary needs so they can be successful in the classroom and throughout their day.”

Beyond its health focus, the bill aims to advance climate and sustainability goals. Studies have consistently shown that plant-based foods produce significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions than animal-based foods. By encouraging schools to introduce more plant-forward menus, the initiative supports both public health and the U.S. target of achieving net-zero emissions.

Under the proposed legislation, federal grants would help cover a wide range of costs related to introducing and sustaining plant-based meal programs. These include culinary training and technical assistance for school foodservice staff, procurement of plant-based proteins and milk from socially disadvantaged, local, and women-, veteran-, or beginning farmers, marketing and student engagement initiatives such as taste tests and nutrition education, additional labor costs for preparing and serving plant-based meals, and partnerships with small and mid-sized plant-based food producers for training and professional development.

Priority would be given to school districts serving high numbers of food-insecure students, ensuring that the program benefits communities most in need.

The bill also addresses access to non-dairy milk alternatives. It would require school districts to provide a non-dairy milk substitute to any student upon a written request from a parent or guardian, even if the child does not have a diagnosed disability. In addition, schools would be authorized to offer non-dairy milk options that comply with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans as part of a reimbursable meal – without requiring a doctor’s note.

Co-sponsors of the bill include Representatives Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Julia Brownley (D-CA), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Lucy McBath (D-GA), Dwight Evans (D-PA), and Lateefah Simon (D-CA).

The Plant Powered School Meals Pilot Act aligns with broader efforts to modernize the US National School Lunch Program, responding to rising demand for healthier, more sustainable, and culturally diverse meals. If enacted, the pilot program could set the stage for nationwide adoption of plant-based school meal options, supporting children’s health while advancing climate and equity objectives.