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 school food waste guidelines to specifically include recommendations for utilizing food nearing best-by and expiration dates. The updated guidelines will provide K-12 schools and colleges with practical strategies - such as improved food labeling awareness, better purchasing/scheduling practices, and storage methods - to ensure older food items are consumed before newer stock. This addresses pre-consumer waste, which currently accounts for 4-10% of school food purchases, by preventing edible food from being discarded prematurely. The guidelines remain voluntary and will be posted on relevant state agency websites.