CA AB2949

Amends Education Code Section 49531 to establish California-specific nutritional standards for school breakfast and lunch meals that exceed federal requirements.

Implements a tiered sodium reduction schedule: schools must meet federal Target 2 sodium requirements starting in 2022–23 school year, Target 3 requirements from 2025–26 through 2029–30, and by 2030–31 must comply with sodium limits aligned with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's Dietary Reference Intakes.

Requires grains in school meals to contain at least 50% whole grains starting in the 2022–23 school year, with remaining grain content enriched.

Commencing with the 2024–25 school year, requires school meals to meet added sugar limitations consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, measured on average over the school week.

Establishes legislative intent that school meals be high quality, healthy, and nutritious for all pupils, citing research showing improved nutritional quality, increased pupil participation, and unchanged or decreased food waste under enhanced meal standards.