CONGRESS BEGINS SUMMER MEALS REAUTHORIZATION

Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Lisa Murkowski have introduced a bill to make the Summer Meals Program available to more children and simplify the administration of the program. The Summer Meals Act (s. 613) would:

▪      Allow community-based organizations to participate if 40% (rather than the current 50%) of the children in the area are eligible for free or reduced-price meals.

▪      Allow local government agencies and private nonprofit organizations to feed children year-round – after school and in the summer – through a single Summer Food Service Program process.

▪      Provide funding for transportation grants to fund innovative approaches and mobile meal trucks.

▪      Allow all sites to serve a third meal.

Source: Food Research Action Center, 3/3/15, Summer Meals