Offering plant-based food options in schools.

 S-3605.1

SENATE BILL 5878

State of Washington

69th Legislature

2026 Regular Session

By Senators Lovick, Shewmake, Bateman, Liias, Lovelett, Saldaña, Salomon, Slatter, and Stanford

Prefiled 12/12/25. Read first time 01/12/26. Referred to Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education.

AN ACT Relating to plant-based food options in schools; and adding a new section to chapter 28A.235 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 28A.235 RCW to read as follows:

(1) Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, when requested by a student, parent, or legal guardian, a school district must offer a plant-based food option as an alternative to any school meal or snack that contains animal products. The plant-based food option must be offered at no additional cost to the student beyond what would be charged for a comparable nonplant-based food option. All written materials describing school meal offerings must indicate that plant-based food options are available upon request.