NJ S4701

Schools participating in the National School Lunch Program must offer at least one plant-based meal daily during regular lunch service, with "plant-based" defined as containing no animal products including meat, poultry, fish, dairy, or eggs

Students or their parents/guardians must submit written election notices to receive plant-based meals, and schools have 30 days after receiving the notice to accommodate the request

School food authorities must annually report to the Department of Agriculture and Department of Education on types of plant-based meals offered, number of election notices received and fulfilled, and implementation challenges

The Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the Department of Education, must establish standards, guidelines, training resources, and strategies for cost-effective implementation of plant-based meal offerings

Takes effect at the start of the first full school year following enactment, with departments and school food authorities authorized to take preparatory administrative action before the effective date