Improving Training for School Food Service Workers Act of 2025

This bill sets clear rules for how school food service workers get job training. It says the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s training for local school cafeteria staff must be offered during paid work hours, be free to workers, include hands-on learning, and be in-person when that makes sense . If training has to happen outside normal hours, workers must be told why, asked about the best time, paid their regular wage (including any overtime), and not punished if they can’t attend. The bill also says it doesn’t change any other federal, state, or local employment laws already in place.

Key points:

• Who is affected: Local school food service workers and the districts that employ them.
• What changes: Training must be on paid time when possible, free, include hands-on learning, and be in-person when appropriate; outside-hours training requires notice, worker input on timing, pay, and no penalties for missing it.
• Other protections: This does not override existing employment laws or contracts.