Scratch Cooked Meals for Students Act of 2026

This bill proposes to amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act by establishing a new pilot program designed to promote scratch cooking in school meal programs. The program defines scratch cooking as the preparation of food using unprocessed or minimally processed ingredients. The Secretary of Agriculture would be tasked with establishing this competitive grant program within 180 days of the bill's enactment. Grants awarded under this program would last for two school years, supporting various activities to enhance scratch cooking capabilities. Eligible uses include: professional development and training for staff purchasing cafeteria equipment or making infrastructure modifications compensating employees for additional food preparation providing technical assistance and pupil engagement related to scratch cooking The bill also authorizes $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to fund the program. Priority for these grants would be given to school food authorities that serve the greatest proportion of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. Additional priority factors include being self-operated or committing to becoming so, and having employees represented by a collective bargaining agreement or committing to negotiating one. Grant recipients would also be required to collaborate with a new technical assistance and resource center to conduct needs assessments and develop strategic plans.