Congresswoman Adams Calls for an End to Block Grant That Endangers Child Nutrition

Press Release

Today, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams (NC-12) joined Congressional leaders, Congressman Robert C. Scott (D-VA) and Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR); the Food Research & Action Center; School Nutrition Association, and Center on Budget and Policy Priorities to discuss the effects of block granting child nutrition programs.

As a member of the Education and the Workforce Committee, Congresswoman Adams voted against the Improving Child Nutrition and Education Act, which includes a provision to block grant child nutrition programs. This provision makes it harder for schools to respond to changes in student need for free and reduced priced meals during the school year.

The bill forces schools to place all breakfast, lunch, and after-school programs under one, single- capped- block grant causing grave effects in school districts like the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System (CMSS). Currently, seventy-four schools in CMSS are eligible to participate in the free and reduced lunch program; under this new provision that number would be reduced to only 29 schools.

The impact of the Improving Child Nutrition and Education Act is more students going hungry.

"A hungry student suffers more than any other, leading to lack of motivation, increased illness, behavioral problems and poor academic performance" Congresswoman Adams stated. "We cannot leave any of our children behind due to a problem that an adult can solve; we must see to it that lawmakers act."

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