SB 22-087: Healthy School Meals for All Program

• Creates the "Healthy School Meals for All Program" in the Department of Education beginning in the 2023-24 budget year to reimburse school food authorities for free meals to all students, contingent on Colorado being selected for a federal Medicaid-based direct certification demonstration project.

• Participating school food authorities must provide free meals to all enrolled students, participate in the federal community eligibility provision, and give annual notice to the department to receive reimbursement equal to the federal free reimbursement rate multiplied by total meals served, minus other federal or state reimbursements.

• Establishes local food purchasing grants of at least $5,000 per eligible participating school food authority to purchase Colorado-grown, raised, or processed products, with requirements for parent-student advisory committees and restrictions on value-added processed products.

• Authorizes additional funding for participating school food authorities to increase wages for food preparation and service employees, and creates a technical assistance and education grant program managed by a statewide nonprofit organization.

• Requires biennial reporting to legislative committees and independent audits of program implementation, with the General Assembly appropriating necessary funds by separate line item beginning in fiscal year 2023-24, including at least $5 million annually for the technical assistance grant program.