AZ SB1018

Amends section 15-242 Arizona Revised Statutes to remove outdated implementation dates and clarifies that the Department of Education shall develop nutrition standards for elementary, middle, and junior high schools meeting at least federal guidelines.

Creates new section 15-242.01 requiring the Department of Education to develop separate nutrition standards for high schools by July 1, 2015, that meet federal guidelines for foods and beverages sold during the normal school day.

Requires high schools to provide a variety of beverage choices including bottled water, 100% fruit/vegetable juice, isotonic beverages, and low-fat milk, with diet drinks, zero-calorie carbonated drinks, sports drinks, and low-juice drinks limited to no more than 50% of available beverages.

Prohibits foods of minimal nutritional value on high school campuses and limits diet drinks, zero-calorie carbonated beverages, and low-juice drinks to no more than 50% of vending machine capacity beginning July 15, 2015.

Exempts culinary education programs from nutrition standards unless they sell food or beverages to students during the school day, and does not restrict fundraising activities or food sales to adults in faculty lounges.