§ 49531

Any child nutrition entity may apply to the State Department of Education for all available federal and state funds so that a nutritionally adequate breakfast or lunch, or both, may be provided to pupils each schoolday at each school in the districts or maintained by the county superintendents of schools, or at private schools and parochial schools and to children receiving child development services. The State Board of Education shall adopt rules and regulations for the operation of lunch and breakfast programs in school districts. A child nutrition entity which receives state funds pursuant to this article, shall provide breakfasts and lunches in accordance with state and federal guidelines.

A nutritionally adequate breakfast, for the purposes of this article, is one that qualifies for reimbursement under the federal child nutrition program regulations, meets a minimum of one-fourth of the current Recommended Dietary Allowance established by the National Research Council, and incorporates the current United States Dietary Guidelines for Americans. A nutritionally adequate lunch is one that qualifies for reimbursement under the federal child nutrition program regulations, meets one-third of the Recommended Dietary Allowance established by the National Research Council and incorporates the current United States Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

State reimbursement for meals provided pursuant to this article shall be limited to meals provided to pupils who are within the relevant definitions and criteria in federal statutes and regulations which prescribe eligibility for free and reduced price meals.

(Amended by Stats. 1997, Ch. 825, Sec. 25. Effective October 9, 1997.)