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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | October 21, 2022 11:25 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Robert E. Merski |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Free School Meal Program |
| One of the most important and instinctive facts about learning is that it’s hard to focus, or really do much of anything, if you’re hungry. Research has shown how child nutrition programs aid academic achievement, school attendance, and student health outcomes. In 2020, waivers were put in place by the Federal government as part of the pandemic relief to allow the Agriculture Department to waive various requirements that govern how schools can serve meals and who could receive them. The waivers also increased the reimbursement rates for school food programs. However, the federal government failed to extend those waivers. For this reason, I am introducing legislation that would require all public-school districts, charter schools and non-public schools in the state that participate in the national school lunch program or school breakfast program as provided in the National Child Nutrition Act to serve breakfast and lunch at no cost to the student. My legislation would maximize access to Federal funds for the cost of the breakfast, lunch, or both by adopting the community eligibility provision under the act. The legislation would also require PDE to reimburse the school the difference between the amount paid by the USDA and the free rate. School lunch is critical to student health and well-being, especially for low-income students, and ensures that students have the nutrition they need throughout the day to learn. A hungry student cannot learn, but school meals provide more than just momentary sustenance. In some cases, school meals can account for nearly half of a child’s daily calories, particularly for lower-income students who may or may not have reliable healthy meals at home. I hope you will join with me and support this important legislation and make sure that our students have the fuel to succeed. |