WA SB5878

School districts must offer plant-based food options as alternatives to meals containing animal products when requested by a student, parent, or guardian, starting in the 2026-27 school year

Plant-based options must be provided at no additional cost beyond comparable non-plant-based meals, and all written meal materials must indicate plant-based options are available upon request

Once a request is made, it remains effective for all school meals and snacks the student is expected to participate in, though students may still select non-plant-based options

Requirements apply to school districts, charter schools, and state-tribal education compact schools, but exclude summer food service programs

"Animal products" includes meat, poultry, seafood, dairy, eggs, honey, and derivatives; "plant-based" protein must be USDA-recognized as a meat alternate for the national school lunch program