The USDA’s new standards that emphasize culturally relevant meals in school nutrition programs went into effect July 1, 2024. These standards aim to reflect the diverse backgrounds of students and ensure that school meals are inclusive and representative of different cultures. The new guidelines encourage schools to incorporate foods that are meaningful to various communities, which can improve student engagement and satisfaction with school meals. This initiative is part of a broader effort to make school meals more equitable and reflective of the nation’s diversity.