Ranking Members Scott, Bonamici Praise Biden Push to Expand Free Access to School Meals

Press Release

"We commend the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA or the Department) for its efforts to ensure that students in high poverty areas have access to nutritious and free school meals. The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the School Breakfast Program (SBP) provide multiple benefits to students, ranging from improved attendance and educational outcomes to reduced rates of food insecurity. Additionally, students who participate in school meal programs receive half of their daily energy intake from school, making access to these meals instrumental in ensuring students do not go hungry while in the classroom,"

"The Proposed Rule seeks to provide additional options for schools and districts to use CEP by lowering the participation threshold from 40 to 25 percent, in line with provision included in the Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids Act. Lowering the threshold provides schools or districts that have slightly fewer than 40 percent of identified students the opportunity to consider participating in CEP,"

"We appreciate that the Department has taken this important step to expand access to CEP."

Source