Senate Majority Leader Ruiz Bill Enhancing School Nutrition Standards Become Law

Legislation sponsored by State Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex and Hudson), focusing on improving educational outcomes by supporting student nutrition and wellness and strengthening parental engagement in special education programs was recently signed into law.The new law requires public and certain private schools to comply with lunch and breakfast nutrition standards adopted by the US Department of Agriculture in 2024, or any more stringent standards adopted thereafter. These standards include reducing calories, sodium, and saturated fat in school meals and increasing the offerings of grains, fruits, vegetables, and nonfat milk.

“Proper nutrition is foundational to a child’s ability to learn, grow, and thrive. For many students, a healthy school breakfast or lunch is their most dependable source of food each day, a lifeline for children who face food insecurity at home. By upholding strong US Department of Agriculture nutritional standards, our schools can serve as powerful spaces to combat hunger, advance equity, and support the health, focus, and academic success of every student.”
— State Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz