The Universal School Meals Program Act of 2021 (S. 1530 H.R. 3115), introduced by Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Representatives Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Gwen Moore (D-WI), would ensure that every child has access to free nutritious meals at school, after school, during the summer, and at child care through the child nutrition programs. These critical programs reduce childhood hunger, decrease childhood overweight and obesity, improve child nutrition and wellness, enhance child development and school readiness, and support academic achievement.