Healthy School Meals for All Measure Clears Assembly Human Services Committee

SB 348 Expands Access to Nutritious School Meal Options to Ensure Students
Grow, Learn, Thrive

Sacramento, CA – The California State Assembly’s Committee on Human Services unanimously approved SB 348 (Skinner) this afternoon, advancing a bill that would protect student health and improve student success by providing more healthy meal options at school. 

Studies show a diet high in added sugar (25 grams or more per day) and salt can lead to severe health problems, including diabetes, digestive issues, depression, and a heightened risk of heart attack and stroke. But currently, California has no standard for sugar levels in school meals. 

“Consuming excess sodium and added sugars puts children at greater risk for preventable chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes,” said Peter Lurie, President and Executive Director, Center for Science in the Public Interest. “SB 348 ensures school meals in California will meet science-based limits for both sodium and added sugars that will protect kids’ health. We applaud Senator Nancy Skinner for making student health a priority in the legislature this year and the Assembly Human Services Committee for moving this important measure forward.” 

SB 348 builds on California’s first-in-the-nation “School Meals for All” program by making sure every free meal students receive at school meets sugar and sodium standards recommended by pediatricians and nutrition experts, expands access to free meals on half-days, and examines best practices for ensuring students have enough time to eat. 

“Giving kids a better chance at lifelong health and developing strong, healthy minds begins with making sure they have nutritious food choices in school cafeterias,” said Dr. Lena Al-Sarraf, American Heart Association volunteer. “Studies show that access to high-quality meals at school is also linked with improved academic performance — including benefits to memory and concentration. Thanks to the leadership of the Assembly Human Services Committee, California students are one step closer to getting the nutritious meals they need to thrive in the classroom and beyond.”