MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2018 Regular Session
To: Public Health and Human Services; Education
By: Representative Scott
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-13-137, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE SCHOOL CAFETERIAS TO PREPARE MENUS IN STRICT COMPLIANCE WITH THE FEDERAL NUTRITION STANDARDS ADOPTED BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE CHILD NUTRITION SCHOOL BREAKFAST AND LUNCH PROGRAMS; TO REQUIRE EACH SCHOOL CAFETERIA TO DISPLAY PROMINENTLY THE NUTRITIONAL GUIDE CHART OR THE FOOD PYRAMID; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 37-13-137, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-13-137. (1) The State Board of Education shall adopt regulations as provided in this section not later than March 1, 2008, which shall be effective for compliance by school districts beginning with the 2008-2009 school year, for the Child Nutrition School Breakfast and Lunch Programs that are not in conflict with the regulations of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The regulations shall take into account the most recent and advanced scientific principles regarding good human health and fitness, and the effect of the regulations must be that the good health, well-being and fitness of Mississippi school children shall be advanced. The regulations shall include, but not be limited to, the following areas:
(a) Healthy food and beverage choices;
(b) Healthy food preparation;
(c) Marketing of healthy food choices to students and staff;
(d) Food preparation ingredients and products;
(e) Minimum and maximum time allotment for students and staff lunch and breakfast periods;
(f) The availability of food items during the lunch and breakfast periods of the Child Nutrition School Breakfast and Lunch Programs; and
(g) Methods to increase participation in the Child Nutrition School Breakfast and Lunch Programs.
(2) The Office of Healthy Schools of the State Department of Education shall provide comprehensive training for superintendents, business managers, food service directors and food service managers of a local school district, or the designees appointed by those individuals for training purposes, as required by the department on marketing healthy foods, creating a healthy cafeteria environment, effective and efficient food service operations, the standards and expectations of food service staff, and other topics as identified by the department. The department may determine the time and location of the trainings and the frequency with which they are held. Persons employed by a local school district having the certification as a Food Service Administrator III or IV shall be exempt from the training requirements of this subsection.
(3) Local school districts may adopt rules and regulations that may be more stringent but not in conflict with those adopted by the State Board of Education under this section.
(4) Local school districts shall require each school cafeteria to prepare menus in strict compliance with the federal nutrition standards adopted by the United States Department of Agriculture for the Child Nutrition School Breakfast and Lunch Programs. Each school cafeteria shall display prominently the nutritional guide chart or the food pyramid.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2018.