2009 Child Nutrition Reauthorization
WHAT IS CHILD NUTRITION REAUTHORIZATION
Every five years, Congress reexamines funding levels and policies for federal nutrition programs that serve children. This process, commonly referred to as the “reauthorization process,” provides an opportunity for Congress to evaluate program effectiveness and modify existing law. Congress is slated to reauthorize child nutrition programs in 2010. The 2010 child nutrition reauthorization presents a unique opportunity for anti-hunger advocates to raise their voices together to increase funding levels and improve the policies for child nutrition programs.
In November 2009, President Obama pledged to end child hunger by 2015. We can help President Obama and the Congress reach this worthy goal by showing our leaders in Washington how important this legislation is to their constituents. Last year, President Obama approved $1 billion per year for child nutrition programs in his Fiscal Year 2009 budget. While this is a significant step forward, Feeding America strongly urges the President to provide at least $1 billion in additional funding in his Fiscal Year 2010 budget and for the Congress to work quickly to find financing for this important investment.
Child nutrition programs are set to expire on September 30, 2010. Time is running out if we are to reach the President’s goal of ending childhood hunger by 2015.
Feeding America's Child Nutrition Priorities
Our child nutrition priorities are designed to: (1) strengthen the quality and efficiency of all child nutrition programs; (2) fill the gaps in food service for millions of low-income children, and (3) offer creative ideas for new and innovative approaches to ending childhood hunger. Click here to see our Child Nutrition priorities. For an overview of all programs, click here.
The Role of Feeding America
Feeding America food banks play a vital role operating many of these programs at home in their communities as well as advocating for strengthening child nutrition programs through the legislative process. Food banks are often responsible for providing food to children when they need it the most—outside of school hours. While many children are eligible for free or reduced school breakfasts and lunches, only a fraction of those children have access to nutritious foods in the summer, over weekends and school vacations, afterschool and at home.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING IT HAPPEN
In the House, the Committee on Education and Labor has jurisdiction over child nutrition programs. In the Senate, it is the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee that will be taking the leading role in reauthorizing the legislation. Both the House and Senate Budget committees will also play key roles during the process.
HOW YOU CAN HELP AS AN ADVOCATE
Feeding America needs the support of advocates throughout the child nutrition reauthorization process. From influencing the President’s budget to communicating the urgency of considering these programs to key members of the committees of jurisdiction, Feeding America can use your help today!
OVERVIEW OF PROGRAMS
The following programs will be reviewed and updated through the reauthorization process.
National School Lunch Program (NSLP): Provides free, reduced or paid lunches based on family income. Provides free, reduced or paid lunches based on family income.
School Breakfast Program: Low-income children eligible for free and reduced lunches are also eligible for breakfasts while at school. Low-income children eligible for free and reduced lunches are also eligible for breakfasts while at school.
Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP): While many children receive school price breakfasts and lunch, providing food assistance afterschool can be a significant challenge. CACFP provides subsidized meals and snacks for low-income children through Head Start programs, child care centers, day care homes, and after school programs. CACFP typically serves children under 12 and disabled adults. While many children receive school price breakfasts and lunch, providing food assistance afterschool can be a significant challenge. CACFP provides subsidized meals and snacks for low-income children through Head Start programs, child care centers, day care homes, and after school programs. CACFP typically serves children under 12 and disabled adults.
Summer Food Service Program (SFSP): While 18 million children receive free or reduced price school lunches during the school year, many children are left without access to regular nutritious meals during the summer months. SFSP reimburses non profits organizations like food banks, schools, summer camps, and government agencies for serving snacks and meals during the summer to low-income children. While 18 million children receive free or reduced price school lunches during the school year, many children are left without access to regular nutritious meals during the summer months. SFSP reimburses non profits organizations like food banks, schools, summer camps, and government agencies for serving snacks and meals during the summer to low-income children.
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Woman Infants and Children (WIC): Provides food assistance, nutrition education, and medical care to low-income pregnant and postpartum women and their infants. Provides food assistance, nutrition education, and medical care to low-income pregnant and postpartum women and their infants.
WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program: Allows WIC participants to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers’ markets through a special voucher program.
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program: Select schools located in low-income areas can purchase and distribute fresh fruits and vegetables to children during the school day.
Special Milk Program: Provides milk to children in schools or childcare institutions who do not participate in other Federal meal programs.
In addition to these programs, Feeding America supports creating pilot programs to explore creative ways to provide food for low-income children outside of school hours when school lunch and breakfast are not available.