RI S2083

Establishes "Healthy School Meals for All" program phased over three years: elementary schools in 2027-2028, middle schools (through grade 8) added in 2028-2029, and all K-12 students by 2029-2030

Requires participating schools to provide breakfast and lunch at no charge to all enrolled students every school day, with lunch periods of at least 20 minutes

Mandates schools maximize federal funding through USDA programs including the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), with eligible schools required to participate or forfeit state funding

State will reimburse schools the difference between federal free meal reimbursement rates and actual federal reimbursements received, with funding treated as entitlement dollars

Schools must prioritize locally grown food purchasing, scratch-cooked meals, and culturally relevant menus, with quarterly reporting on local food purchases to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education