WASHINGTON, D.C. — A U.S. House bill introduced last week would authorize USDA to provide technical support for school salad bars under the agency’s existing operating budget.

The Salad Bars in Schools Expansion Act was introduced by Reps. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), with Sam Farr (D-Calif.) and Frederica S. Wilson (D-Fla.). The bill proposes a program providing training and technical assistance for placing salad bars in schools.

"In all my time as a school principal, I have never seen my students more excited about lunch than when we brought in a salad bar," said Wilson, who said the bill’s sponsors aim to have their legislation included in the reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act.

The bill calls for the USDA to offer training programs and educational materials guiding schools in establishing salad bars.

USDA would also establish a grant program making funds available to schools for salad bar equipment purchases. These programs would be carried out under the current USDA budget.

The Ryan bill is expected to move to committee. Republicans have also introduced legislation related to the Child Nutrition Act. Bills submitted by Reps. Steve King of Iowa, Kristi Noem of South Dakota and Ted Poe of Texas seek to change USDA requirements on sodium, calories and whole grains in school lunches.

Efforts to expand salad bars in schools are widely supported by fresh produce industry groups, which, along with foundations and businesses, have donated 4,000 salad bars to schools through Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools.

"Salad bars are an effective strategy to increase fruit and vegetable consumption, introduce kids to a wide variety of fruits and vegetables and one of the easiest ways for schools to successfully implement healthier school lunch standards," said Tom Stenzel, president and CEO of United Fresh Produce Assoc.

Ken Holthouse, president of the Ohio Produce Growers & Marketers Assoc. (OPGMA), spoke at last week’s announcement by Ryan. He said salad bars in schools support fresh produce growers while helping students learn healthy eating habits. Holthouse is one of the Midwest leaders of a United Fresh initiative, announced in 2014, that has placed 400 salad bars in Midwest schools.

In addition to the OPGMA, 11 other produce groups joined United Fresh in supporting the House bill. United Fresh will highlight its effort to place more salad bars in Midwest schools at its annual trade show this week in Chicago.