Baldwin Supports Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Extend School and Summer Meals for Kids

WASHINGTON – On June 30, school meals programs are set to expire and U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin has been pushing to pass legislation to extend them. Today, Baldwin announced her support for the Keep Kids Fed Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation that will provide important funding and flexibility for communities to provide children healthy meals this summer and provide support to schools and daycares to respond to supply chain challenges and high food costs for the coming school year.

“I have heard directly from parents, teachers and education leaders about the challenges schools still face returning to normal operations and this bipartisan legislation recognizes these challenges, and our responsibility to take action and make sure no child goes hungry,” said Senator Baldwin. “We have a strong bipartisan agreement to fully pay for this legislation and we need to get the job done extending school and summer meals before they expires at the end of this month. I support this bipartisan legislation because I believe we have a responsibility to keep kids fed.”

With 90% of our schools still facing many challenges as they return to normal operations, the bipartisan Keep Kids Fed Act will extend the school meal waivers that have been a lifeline for schools and families. Led by Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and John Boozman (R-AR), and Representatives Bobby Scott (D-VA 03) and Virginia Foxx (R-NC 5), the bipartisan legislation will fully extend all waivers through the summer to allow meal deliveries and grab-and-go options for students, which many families have relied on during the pandemic. It would also extend supply chain flexibilities and higher reimbursement rates through the 2022-2023 school year.

A broad spectrum of groups sent in letters to Congress to extend the child nutrition waiver authority. Letters included:

• Nearly 2,000 anti-hunger, nutrition, education, children’s, school, preschool, and out of school providers, faith groups and industry groups, among others, from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
• Mayors Alliance to End Childhood Hunger, which includes representatives from 47 towns;
• 23 groups, including the School Nutrition Association, School Superintendents Association, National Education Association, National PTA, and American Commodity Distribution Alliance, among others.

Full text of the legislation is available here.