Requires DEP to update school food waste guidelines to include recommendations for how to better utilize food nearing best-by and expiration dates.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to update existing voluntary school food waste guidelines to include specific recommendations for reducing waste by better utilizing food nearing its best-by or expiration dates. The updated guidelines will provide schools with practical steps, such as improving food label handling, purchasing, storage, and usage to prioritize older food items before newer ones. The change applies to all K-12 schools and institutions of higher education, which currently follow the voluntary guidelines for reducing food waste. The DEP must post the updated guidelines on its website within 90 days of the bill's effective date.