California Budget Expands Schools' Ability to Offer Plant-Based Food and Milk Options

Sacramento, CA — The Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA) applauds Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Legislature for approving a state budget that includes $500 million for the Kitchen Infrastructure and Training (KIT) Program, incorporating language that allows schools to use these funds to procure plant-based foods and plant-based milk options.

Championed by Assemblymember Robert Garcia, the budget language will help California school districts expand access to nutritious, inclusive meal options while taking advantage of recent federal changes allowing schools to offer nutritionally equivalent plant-based milk options in school meals.

“I thank the Governor and my fellow Legislators for helping secure California students more school food options. The expanded dietary flexibility will allow students access to meals that meet their needs and a child who is not worried about hunger is a child who will be able to learn,” said Assemblymember Garcia.

The KIT Program funding will help schools modernize kitchen infrastructure, train nutrition staff, expand scratch cooking, and purchase healthy foods including plant-based foods and plant-based milk options.

"This is a significant win for California students, families, and school nutrition programs," said Marjorie Mulhall, executive director of the Plant Based Foods Association. "By allowing schools to use these funds to purchase plant-based food and milk options, California is giving districts greater flexibility to serve nutritious meals that reflect the diverse dietary needs and preferences of the students they serve. We're grateful to Governor Newsom, Assemblymember Robert Garcia, and legislative leaders for supporting this important investment."

Following the enactment of a new federal law expanding access to plant-based milk options in school meals, PBFA worked alongside its member companies, NGO partners, California school districts, health organizations, parents, students, and others to support state funding that would help schools implement the new federal flexibility. Those efforts included a coalition letter signed by more than 120 school districts and partner organizations.

Assemblymember Garcia led the budget request that ultimately secured this investment, with support from Assemblymembers Kalra, Patel, Zbur, Haney, Bryan, and Senator Ochoa Bogh.

This new funding builds on California's longstanding leadership in providing healthy school meals and comes as school districts increasingly seek to offer menu options that are inclusive of students' diverse dietary needs and preferences.