Congress should revise child nutrition programs so that all students are eligible for free meals at school, said the School Nutrition Association in a position paper released on Tuesday. The group, which speaks on behalf of school food directors, also called for higher reimbursement rates for each lunch and breakfast served.
In addition, the SNA said the USDA should extend, through the end of the 2022/23 school year, waivers that give schools leeway in constructing menus and meeting nutrition standards. In a survey, food directors said shortages and higher food prices are a burden in running their programs.
“Persistent pandemic challenges threaten the stability of child nutrition programs that millions of American families depend on,” said SNA president Beth Wallace. “Congress must take action to restore the financial and operational sustainability of school meal programs for the students they serve.”
Congress is overdue in updating the 2010 child nutrition law that called for less salt, fat and sugar in school meals.
The position paper is available here.