Standardized Minimum Seating Time for School Lunches

Students across the United States, particularly schools in urban areas, often lack sufficient time to eat lunch, leading to poor nutrition, reduced focus, and food waste. This paper proposes a minimum of 30 minutes of seated lunch time per student, aligned with CDC recommendations. Such a policy would promote equity, improve student health, and cut waste. California, with its size and leadership in school nutrition, is well-positioned to pilot and model this reform statewide.