WASHINGTON, DC - On Wednesday night and Thursday afternoon, respectively, the Senate and House each unanimously passed identical child nutrition reauthorization bills, S. 2507. The legislation will expand the availability of nutritious meals and snacks to more children in school, in outside school hours programs, and in child care; and will improve the quality of food in schools.

"It is a sign of how fundamentally important, effective and popular these child nutrition programs are that, in an otherwise politically heated environment, Congress paused to unite in support of feeding our nation's children," stated Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) President James D. Weill. "This legislation will provide greater access and improve the nutritional quality of meals served in schools and out of school programs for many low-income children. Kids will be healthier, do better in school, and be better cared for in afterschool, summer, and child care programs."

Through the almost two-year effort to pass child nutrition reauthorization legislation, FRAC led a coalition of national organizations representing the religious, education, medical, nutrition, farm, commodity, children's and anti-hunger communities. "While we wish that significantly more funds had been available in the budget to take more steps forward" said Weill, "we are very pleased that the legislation includes many of the priorities of the anti-hunger coalition."

Download Highlights of the Reauthorization Bill

Download a letter in support of S. 2507 signed by over 80 organizations (PDF)

Click here for more information about the bill.

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The Food Research and Action Center (www.frac.org) is the leading national organization working for more effective public and private policies to eradicate domestic hunger and undernutrition.