01.07.22

Chairman Scott Applauds Biden Administration for Increasing Support for School Meal Programs

WASHINGTON – Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Biden Administration announced an increase in the amount of money the federal government will reimburse states for school meal programs.  

“I applaud the Biden Administration for taking an important step to help preserve school meal programs for children and families. The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for school meal programs at a time when more families than ever are relying on them for essential services. Today’s action, coupled with the Administration’s $1.5 billion investment in school meal programs announced last month, will ensure schools can afford to provide the healthy nutrition that students need to learn and grow.

“While this is another important step forward, families and school meal programs still need significant support to meet the needs of our nation’s children. The House-passed Build Back Better Act invests $10 billion in proven child nutrition programs and would allow nearly 9 million more children to receive free school meals. The Senate must pass the Build Back Better Act to secure the future of school nutrition programs in communities across the country.” 

The Administration's actions build on Congress' efforts to fight child hunger throughout the pandemic.  The child hunger provisions in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act prevented at least 2.7 million children from going hungry in the week after states issued benefits, reducing child hunger by 30 percent.  The American Rescue Plan cut child poverty nearly in half. 

###

Press Contact

Democratic Press Office, 202-226-0853