Child Nutrition

NSBA Supports Legislation that Empowers School Districts to Address School Nutrition

The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (HHFKA) provides funding for six major federal school meal and child nutrition programs:

  • the National School Lunch and Breakfast programs
  • the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)the Summer Food Service Program
  • the Afterschool Meal Program
  • the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed)

 

NSBA’s Position

Federal school meal programs are an important part of fostering a healthy and positive learning environment for children to succeed. NSBA therefore supports H.R.1504, the Reducing Federal Mandates on School Lunch Act, introduced by Rep. Kristi Noem (R-SD), which would restore local flexibility and authority to school districts struggling to comply with some provisions of HHFKA. NSBA also supports S.1146, the Healthy School Meals Flexibility Act introduced by Senators John Hoeven (R-ND) and Angus King (I-ME) and the House companion bill, H.R. 2508 introduced by Representatives Rodney Davis (R-IL) and Brad Ashford (D-NE). Read more.

Background

NSBA explains current and proposed legislation on child nutrition in schools: the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (HHFKA) of 2010 and HR 1540. Read more.

NSBA’s Actions

NSBA supports federal funding for child nutrition in schools: letters to Congress and federal agencies, comments, and grassroots calls to action. Read more.

Talking Points

Use these points to communicate the key issues around school nutrition to other school board members, the press, and your members of Congress:

  • Congress and the U.S. Department of Agriculture should restore local governance, provide sufficient federal funding, and address the cumulative impact of the current law on school district budgets and operations.
  • Congress and the U.S. Department of Agriculture should provide local school boards with opportunities for meaningful input into emerging law and administrative policy.
  • No policy should result in re-directing state and local funds from instruction to the school food authority or impose additional cost on school districts.