May 21, 2004

Senate Agriculture Committee Passes Child Nutrition Reauthorization

On May 19, the Senate Agriculture Committee passed a child nutrition reauthorization bill that is similar to the House-passed bill (H.R. 3873), but contains some additional program improvements. With the current temporary program extension due to expire on June 30, the bill (which still has not been assigned a number) is expected to go to the Senate floor for a vote shortly after the Memorial Day recess (which runs from May 22 to June 1).

In a joint letter, FRAC and more than 20 national groups explained their support for the Senate Committee bill:

"We believe that this legislation strikes the right balance between needed program improvements while maintaining the integrity of the programs. The draft legislation includes many of our joint prioirities, especially increasing access to programs for low-income children; enhancing the nutritional quality of meals and improving nutrition education; and providing additional resources to vulnerable populations, such as homeless, runaway and migrant children."

Click here for the bill text and summary.

Both Senate and House child nutrition bills permanently reauthorize three child nutrition provisions scheduled to expire on June 30, 2004:

1) The 14-state "Lugar" summer food pilots;

2) The eligibility of for-profit child care centers for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) if 25% of children are eligible for free or reduced price meals; and

3) The exclusion of privatized military housing from income when determining eligibility for school meals.

In addition, the Senate bill:

• Adds six new "Lugar" pilot states (CO, MS, LA, MI, OR, OH) and opens participation to private, non-profit sponsors in all pilot states;
• Phases in mandatory direct certification for free or reduced price meals for food stamp households;
• Provides for a CACFP pilot that expands area eligibility for family child care in rural areas by decreasing the threshold of free and reduced price meals from 50 to 40 percent;
• Establishes a three-year summer food rural transportation pilot for 60 sponsors in five states;
• Continues and expands the current fresh fruit and vegetable pilots with special emphasis on serving children in low-income areas; and
• Makes possible for up to five states (or subdivisions within the states), to offer free meals to households with incomes up to 185% of poverty (subject to Congressional funding).

The issue of "competitive foods" (foods sold in competition with school meals programs) was the main source of controversy in the Committee. An amendment from Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) mirrored the House bill by establishing local school wellness policies, but also called for a National Academy of Sciences study on sale and consumption of all foods sold at school, with non-binding recommendations to be given to local school food authorities. The Harkin amendment failed on vote of 13 to 7.

Action Needed

Senate message - Urge your Senators (Capitol Switchboard: 202/224-3121) to support and "vote yes" on the child nutrition reauthorization bill when it reaches the Senate floor.

Click here to return to FRAC's Child Nutrition Reauthorization website.