Press Releases

Wexton Votes to Protect Children’s Access to School Meals

Washington, June 23, 2022

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) voted to pass the Keep Kids Fed Act (H.R. 8150), 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.

“The school meal program enhancements that Congress delivered during the pandemic have been essential to keeping kids fed and healthy,” said Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton. “Allowing this lifeline to expire would be a disaster for students, parents, and our schools, which is why I’m proud that the House is taking bipartisan action today to provide additional flexibilities and nutritional assistance that kids need to grow and thrive. This bill will help feed kids by allowing schools in Virginia to meet ongoing supply chain shortages and cost barriers, because kids can’t learn if they’re hungry.”

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 FCRA 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).

To read the bill text for the Keep Kids Fed Act, click here.

To learn more about the Keep Kids Fed Act, click here.

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