Improving Training for School Food Service Workers Act of 2025
The Improving Training for School Food Service Workers Act of 2025 amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to clarify and strengthen how training for local school food service personnel is provided. It requires that training programs be scheduled during regular paid working hours, be offered in person when appropriate, include experiential (hands-on) learning, and be provided at no cost to the workers. If training occurs outside normal hours, districts must inform staff of the necessity, consult with staff to minimize disruption, compensate attendees at their regular pay rate (including overtime where applicable), and ensure workers are not penalized for not attending. The measure also reiterates that the training requirements do not override any existing federal, state, or local laws. In short, the bill aims to make school food service training more accessible, fair, and practical for workers, with emphasis on compensation for time outside regular hours and protections against penalties for non-attendance.
Key Points
- 1Adds a new training provision (iv) to the existing authority over training for local food service personnel under the Child Nutrition Act, detailing availability and appropriateness.
- 2Training must be scheduled during regular, paid working hours; should be offered in person when appropriate; must include experiential learning; and must be provided at no cost to workers.
- 3If training is scheduled outside of regular hours, districts must inform workers of the necessity, consult to minimize disruption, compensate at regular pay (including overtime), and not penalize or discriminate against workers who cannot attend.
- 4The new rules explicitly state that they do not supersede or modify any existing federal, state, or local laws governing the relationship between employees and employers.
- 5The reform is focused on ensuring fair, accessible, and effective training for local school food service personnel tied to the Child Nutrition Act.