Louisiana School Lunches: Vote Delayed on Big Changes

Lawmakers are talking about making drastic changes to lunches in schools in Louisiana. Senator Blake Miguez has moved his bill along and it hit the floor of the house this week. His SB 117 would ban ultra-processed foods from being served and sold in public schools. Lafayette Republican John Carlson presented the bill in the House where it hit a speed bump.

READ MORE: What could happen with school lunches in Shreveport?

What Is the Status of the Louisiana School Lunch Bill?

Carlson has agreed to return the bill to the calendar temporarily to clear up a couple of issues. But this does not mean the bill is dead for the session. There were questions about the impact this bill would have on students who might not want to eat healthier foods. In past attempts at changing the school nutrition programs have resulted in many students tossing out food. There were also questions about the potential costs associated with these changes.

Louisiana Senator Says the Changes Will Help Make Our Kids Healthier

Senator Miguez has told KEEL News his bill “addresses the childhood obesity crisis by banning ultra-processed foods in public schools.”

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is also moving along a massive federal change which would put a similar ban in place. He has said “highly chemically processed” foods are to blame for many diseases in our children.

Carlson told his colleagues in the House the goal of this bill is to bring our nutrition program in schools in line with what the FDA is banning at the federal level. “The spirit of this bill is to address the epidemic of obesity and other health related issues that are affecting our kids.”

When Would School Lunch Changes Go into Effect?

If this bill is approved, it would not go into effect in Louisiana schools until the 2026-2027 school year.