Senator Murray, Reps. Pocan and Stefanik Reintroduce Bicameral, Bipartisan Bill to Improve Training for School Food Service Workers

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, reintroduced the Improving Training for School Food Service Workers Act, legislation to improve training for food service employees in schools. The legislation would assist in the implementation of existing professional standards for these workers by ensuring that training occurs during work hours and at no cost, and if training is unable to occur during scheduled work hours, the bill makes clear that employees must be informed in advance and compensated appropriately. Representatives Mark Pocan (D, WI-02) and Elise Stefanik (R, NY-21) are introducing companion, bipartisan legislation in the House.

"School food service workers do the essential work of making sure our kids are fed at school and can focus on their learning instead of an empty stomach," said Senator Murray. "Our commonsense bipartisan bill would make sure those workers get the training they need during work hours at no cost to them-and that if training happens after work hours, food service workers are fairly compensated for their time. This is about fairness and making sure our schools can recruit and retain skilled food service employees."

"Nutritious meals are as important to a child's development as learning to read, and school food service workers play a vital role in guaranteeing every child gets the healthy food they deserve," said Rep. Mark Pocan. "The Improving Training for School Food Service Workers Act will make it easier for workers to complete needed training and ensure food service workers have the skills to safely serve our kids. I'm proud to sponsor this critical bill with colleagues from across the aisle and in the Senate because good food and good jobs should be a part of 21st-century schools."

"School meals support learning and student success. Every day, dedicated food service professionals prepare and serve school meals to all of our students, providing the nutrition that is essential for learning and participation. Our food service professionals need appropriate support and training for the expertise required to feed our students," said Becky Pringle, President of the National Education Association. "The Improving Training for School Food Service Workers Act will help ensure that our food service professionals have access to training sessions during their paid work days or are compensated if the training has to occur outside of work hours. I am proud to support this legislation that will help ensure our students receive the healthy, nutritious meals they need to thrive."

The reauthorization of the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010 enacted professional standards for food service workers. These standards worked to ensure that school meals are as healthy as possible for students. The Improving Training for School Food Service Workers Act builds on these standards and would:

• Ensure that training sessions occur primarily during regular, paid working hours;
• Compensate workers for training sessions that must occur outside of work hours;
• Make every effort to inform workers of training sessions that must take place outside of work hours;
• Ensure that school food service workers are not penalized if they are unable to attend training sessions outside of work hours; and
• Promote in-person, hands-on training whenever possible and appropriate.

The text of the Improving Training for School Food Service Workers Act is available HERE.

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