NJ S4016

School districts with middle or high schools must establish food services advisory committees to recommend breakfast and lunch menu options reflecting students' cultural, traditional, and dietary preferences, including vegetarian and vegan options

Committees must include a principal or designee, food services employee, chief school administrator or designee, at least four middle/high school students, and one or more parents, with optional school nurse participation

Committees must meet at least three times per school year and consider available funding, equipment limitations, food service provider capabilities, and nutritional value when making recommendations

Districts must survey middle and high school students via written form and website to identify unmet food preferences and interest in committee participation before establishing a committee

Requirements may be suspended for one school year if no students indicate unmet preferences or if responses are minimal and can be addressed without a formal committee