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SNA Comments on House Child Nutrition Reauthorization Bill

2016-04-07

NATIONAL HARBOR, MD – The House Education and the Workforce Committee has completed a discussion draft of legislation to reauthorize the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. The non-profit School Nutrition Association (SNA) issued the following statement from SNA President Jean Ronnei, SNS, regarding the draft.

“SNA appreciates that the House child nutrition reauthorization bill includes a much needed increase to the federal reimbursement rate for school breakfast. New regulations and rising food and labor expenses have drastically increased the cost of preparing school meals. Additional funding will support efforts to invest in fresh, healthy ingredients for students’ breakfast trays.”

“SNA continues to support Senate language addressing challenges with nutrition standards for school meals, and was pleased to learn that House draft language also considers practical solutions for healthy school meal planning.”

“We strongly oppose language to change the threshold for participating in the Community Eligibility Provision, a program which has greatly benefited schools, students and families. However, the bill’s proposed elimination of Paid Lunch Equity Requirements, return to a five-year Administrative Review cycle and mandates to streamline administrative requirements will ease burdens on school meal programs and allow them to focus on serving students. We continue to review other details of the House draft bill.”

“SNA applauds members of the House Education and the Workforce Committee for their efforts to move the reauthorization process forward. Congress is now considering two bills, each with different proposals on various aspects of the programs. SNA urges Congress to act quickly to finalize a bipartisan bill that helps school meal programs address challenges with the regulations while ensuring children continue to receive meals that meet strong standards.”

Click here for more information on the House bill.

About School Nutrition Association:
The School Nutrition Association (SNA) is a national, non-profit professional organization representing 56,000 school nutrition professionals across the country. Founded in 1946, SNA and its members are dedicated to making healthy school meals and nutrition education available to all students. For more information on school meals, visit www.SchoolNutrition.org/SchoolMeals.

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