The Congressional Hunger Center expresses deep disappointment in the Child Nutrition Act Reauthorization (CNR) bill that was voted out of the House Education and Workforce Committee on May 18th. CHC is gravely concerned that the Improving Child Nutrition and Education Act of 2016 bill (H.R. 5003), which passed by a 20 to 14 vote, would hinder the funding for and successful implementation of school meals, which millions of children rely on in order to maximize their learning potential.
Image Courtesy of D.C. Central Kitchen
The amended bill now includes a provision to block grant the school meals program in three states, which would ultimately jeopardize the federal government’s national commitment to providing nutritious breakfasts and lunches to all low-income children at school.
CHC is determined to play a constructive and active role in the weeks ahead to encourage Congress to strengthen—not weaken—child nutrition programs seeking to provide more children access to nutritious meals.