We invite and encourage all stakeholders to Take Action on a new school nutrition waiver bill introduced in the Senate! This bill would extend the waivers that allow πΌππ students to eat breakfast and lunch for ππππ. Currently, child nutrition waivers are set to expire at the end of the 2021-22 school year.
\r\nIn order to support this bill and send a message to lawmakers, simply click here on the Take Action link and fill out the brief form. This bill needs all the support it can get!
\r\nThe Support Kids Not Red Tape Act is critical to sustaining school nutrition programs, ensuring children have access to school meals and preventing substantial financial losses for schools nationwide.
\r\nWe know this is an exceptionally hectic time - which makes it even more important that we raise our voices in support of extending school nutrition program waivers for schools facing acute supply chain disruptions, persistent labor shortages and escalating costs. Currently, waivers will expire June 30th resulting in devastating consequences for these programs and the hungry students that rely on them.
\r\nThe Support Kids Not Red Tape Act:
\r\n- Extends USDA's waiver authority through September 30, 2023.
- Directs states to submit a transition plan to USDA so that schools will be prepared and supported when transitioning back to normal National School Lunch Program operations after the waivers end.
- Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide technical assistance to states on drafting transition plans and to School Food Authorities on meeting meal standards during the waiver period.
- Prevents schools from being penalized for not meeting meal pattern requirements during the waiver period if the violations are due to supply chain disruptions.