U.S. Rep. Lawrence Votes to Extend School and Summer Meal Waivers for Kids

Press Release

Today, U.S. Representative Brenda L. Lawrence (MI-14) applauded the House passage of the Keep Kids Feds Act, legislation to ensure that schools can continue providing meals for students despite ongoing supply chain issues. The bill would allow the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide additional assistance to child nutrition programs by reimbursing them at a higher rate as they continue to serve healthy meals.

"With supply chain challenges and cost barriers, school meal programs are struggling to keep up. It's our children who bear the brunt of this problem, and it's unacceptable for any of them to go hungry," said Rep. Lawrence. "This legislation provides much-needed assistance to ensure schools can continue to provide students with healthy, nutritious food. I'm grateful to have voted for this bill and to protect children's access to school meals."

Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), Congress provided USDA with key flexibilities to help child nutrition programs continue serving children during the COVID-19 pandemic. This relief has helped feed hungry students during the school closures, virtual learning, and social distancing that disrupted traditional meal service. Without the Keep Kids Fed Act, important flexibilities provided under FFCRA will expire on June 30, 2022.

The Keep Kids Fed Act would:

Provide nationwide waiver authority for school meal flexibilities that do not increase costs;
Allow waivers related to the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) during the summer months;
Increase reimbursement rates for the 2022-2023 school year by an additional 15 cents per breakfast and 40 cents per lunch; and
Provide enhanced support to the Child and Adult Care Feeding Program (CACFP).

Source