{"bill":{"id":"119-hr-739","congress":119,"type":"HR","number":739,"title":"Salad Bars in Schools Expansion Act","originChamber":"House","introducedDate":"2025-01-24","sponsors":[{"bioguideId":"W000808","fullName":"Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24]","party":"D","state":"FL","district":24}],"cosponsorsCount":1,"latestAction":{"actionDate":"2025-01-24","text":"Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce."},"policyArea":"Agriculture and Food","subjects":[],"actions":[{"date":"2025-01-24","text":"Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.","type":"IntroReferral","chamber":"House floor actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2025-01-24","text":"Introduced in House","type":"IntroReferral","chamber":"Library of Congress","hasVote":false},{"date":"2025-01-24","text":"Introduced in House","type":"IntroReferral","chamber":"Library of Congress","hasVote":false}],"summary":"<p><strong>Salad Bars in Schools Expansion Act</strong></p><p>This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish and implement a plan, including through a five-year program of competitive grants, to promote the use of salad bars in schools participating in the school lunch program.</p><p>Priority in the award of grants may be given to entities&nbsp;(i.e., a school or a school food authority)&nbsp;that (1) serve schools in which at least 50% of the students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches, (2)&nbsp;serve schools in food deserts, or (3) provide nutrition education to students. Under the bill, <em>food desert </em>is defined as a census tract with a substantial share of residents who live in low-income areas that have low levels of access to a grocery store or a healthy, affordable food retail outlet.</p><p>Eligible entities must use the&nbsp;grant funds to award schools a one-time payment for the anticipated cost of installing a salad bar, including the purchase of any required durable equipment.</p><p>USDA must also submit a report to Congress that includes recommendations&nbsp;for promoting and establishing more salad bars in schools.</p>","updateDate":"2025-07-21T19:44:15Z"},"markets":[],"stateBills":[],"meta":{"sources":["congress.gov"],"latencyMs":273,"ts":"2026-04-19T09:58:20.919Z"},"nextActions":{"inspect":[],"related":[{"description":"Search related legislation","method":"GET","url":"/api/public/query-gov?q=Salad%20Bars%20in%20Schools%20Expansion%20Act"}]}}