School food waste reduction; free school milk during the lunch meal in place of a full school lunch authorization; appropriating money

This bill (SF 2840) allows Minnesota schools to offer free milk as a standalone lunch option instead of requiring students to take a full school lunch. It directly affects students who want milk but not a full meal, reducing food waste by eliminating the need to take a complete lunch solely for milk access. Schools receive reimbursement of 50 cents per half-pint of milk served under this program, with rates adjusted to match USDA standards if higher. The policy applies to all public and nonpublic schools participating in the national school lunch program, effective for fiscal year 2026.