Salad Bars in Schools Expansion Act
2/22/2025, 9:06 AMSummary of Bill HR 739
Bill 119 hr 739, also known as the Salad Bars in Schools Expansion Act, aims to amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act in order to increase the availability and use of salad bars in schools across the United States. The bill recognizes the importance of providing students with healthy food options and seeks to promote the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.Specifically, the bill proposes to allocate additional funding to schools to purchase and maintain salad bars, as well as to provide training for school staff on how to effectively utilize and promote the salad bars. Additionally, the bill encourages schools to work with local farmers and producers to source fresh, locally grown produce for the salad bars.
Proponents of the bill argue that increasing access to salad bars in schools can help improve students' overall health and nutrition, as well as promote healthy eating habits that can last a lifetime. By offering a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, schools can help students develop a taste for nutritious foods and reduce their consumption of unhealthy, processed options. Overall, the Salad Bars in Schools Expansion Act aims to support schools in providing students with more opportunities to make healthy food choices and improve their overall well-being.
Congressional Summary of HR 739
Salad Bars in Schools Expansion Act
This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish and implement a plan, including through a five-year program of competitive grants, to promote the use of salad bars in schools participating in the school lunch program.
Priority in the award of grants may be given to entities (i.e., a school or a school food authority) that (1) serve schools in which at least 50% of the students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches, (2) serve schools in food deserts, or (3) provide nutrition education to students. Under the bill, food desert is defined as a census tract with a substantial share of residents who live in low-income areas that have low levels of access to a grocery store or a healthy, affordable food retail outlet.
Eligible entities must use the grant funds to award schools a one-time payment for the anticipated cost of installing a salad bar, including the purchase of any required durable equipment.
USDA must also submit a report to Congress that includes recommendations for promoting and establishing more salad bars in schools.
