July 14, 2023

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Universal School Meals Program Push
Reach out to your Members of Congress via the FRAC Action Network and ask them to cosponsor the Universal School Meals Program Act of 2023 (H.R. 3204/S. 1568) to create a permanent nationwide Healthy School Meals for All program. The bill also would increase reimbursement rates for school meals, end lunch shaming, reimburse schools for meal debt, provide incentives for local food procurement, expand summer meal access, and expand the Child and Adult Care Food Program. Click here to view the current list of cosponsors in the House and Senate. 

USDA Announces 2023–2024 Reimbursement Rates for Federal Child Nutrition Programs
Recently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service announced updated reimbursement rates for the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program, as well as the Child and Adult Care Food Program. These rates are effective from July 1, 2023, until June 30, 2024. 

Legislative Update
Congress is in the midst of a busy July with very few days to legislate. There are less than 10 legislative days left before Congress breaks for August Recess. Squeezed within the time frame, Congress is marking up appropriations bills, trying to pass a defense authorization bill, and possibly move a tax bill.  Senate Majority Leader Schumer issued a Dear Colleague letter, where he called for “making progress on bipartisan bills … [to] institute common-sense farm policy.” Schumer again raised the Farm Bill in his floor remarks upon returning to Washington from the July Fourth recess.  

Farm Bill
Senate Ag Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) said we might see a short-term Farm Bill extension, given how much the Senate has to work with the House to fund the government. The House is eyeing getting their Farm Bill out of committee in early September, after the August Recess. The Senate will have its own timeline. Any House-passed bill will need to be reconciled in conference with the Senate. The House Democrats Task Force on Agriculture and Nutrition in the 21st Century have held recent Farm Bill roundtable sessions in Mississippi and Connecticut. Task Force Chair Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) and the Task Force held a 2023 Farm Bill roundtable at the U.S. Capitol, July 13. Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) President Luis Guardia delivered remarks, “Far too many families in the U.S. continue to lack reliable access to the nutrition they need, and this crisis is only deepening. SNAP is a proven benefit to the nutrition, health and well-being of the nation. The time is now to redouble efforts to address this crisis … We look forward to working with this Task Force to ensure the outcome of a Farm Bill that strengthens and protects this vital program.” A webcast recording of the roundtable discussion can be found here.  

New SNAP Legislation Introduced
Colorado U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet introduced the Hot Foods Act to help families and seniors with low incomes purchase cold prepared foods, heated foods, and hot meals using their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. This is a companion bill to Rep. Grace Meng’s (D-NY) House version. “The Hot Foods Act would ensure equity in the marketplace by permanently ending the outdated prohibition on the use of SNAP benefits to purchase hot prepared foods from grocery retailers,” said Luis Guardia, president, FRAC. “It's long overdue for SNAP customers who lack kitchens or the ability to prepare meals to be able to eat hot food. It will also make it easier for retailers to respond to disasters as they will already be active in providing resources.” See press release.

FY 2024 Ag Appropriations
The Senate Appropriations Committee reported out its agriculture spending bill unanimously (28–0) last month. For bill text, report, and a summary, click here. The FY 2024 House Agriculture Appropriations bill also reported out of full committee, however, the two bills could not be further apart. The House bill would slash critical federal nutrition programs resulting in the lowest funding allocation since 2006. Adopted report language is available here. Read FRAC’s statement. The House and Senate bills are set for a collision course, with very different top-line spending numbers. This drawn-out process might result in a short-term deal in late September to avoid a government shutdown on October 1. However, a shutdown scenario remains possible. Public Citizen and the Clean Budget Coalition are tracking harmful appropriations policy riders that often weaken anti-hunger programs. See link. Members of Congress will be home for much of the summer. As Farm Bill negotiations intensify, FRAC encourages you to reach out to your Members and push them to protect SNAP and advance our anti-hunger priorities this August. See Take Action: Recess Alert – Engage with Your Members of Congress this Summer at Home Build Support for SNAP Farm Bill Priorities.