Last week, SNA sent a letter to the White House Office of Management and Budget, urging the release of Section 32 funds for emergency per-meal reimbursements, backed by a petition signed by more than 3,500 school nutrition professionals. Now it’s your turn to act.
School meal programs are facing a financial crisis. USDA’s own studies show that meal revenues covered an average of only 81 percent of program expenses, while the share of programs operating at a deficit nearly doubled—from 18 percent to 35 percent—in two school years. Section 32 funds are already available to USDA in the Child Nutrition account, and releasing the projected excess funds for school cafeterias would provide relief without creating new budget authority.
Ask your Members of Congress to urge OMB Director Vought and USDA Secretary Rollins to release these funds. Consider personalizing your message about rising costs in your own programs to show federal leaders what is at stake in their communities. Take action now!
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