Press Releases

WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Representative James P. McGovern (D-MA), Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee and a nationwide leader in the fight to end hunger and improve nutrition, introduced legislation permanently increasing the federal reimbursement level for school meals to help address funding challenges, enhance nutrition, increase access to locally grown food, invest in our school food professionals, and support expanded services like afterschool snacks and breakfast in the classroom.

**Full Text of Bill Here (PDF)**

The Healthy Meals Help Kids Learn Act permanently increases the federal reimbursement level for all free, reduced-price, and paid-rate school meals by 45 cents for every lunch served and 28 cents for every breakfast served, with a yearly adjustment. 

“Donald Trump’s economy has sent food prices through the roof, and school nutrition programs are struggling to keep up as they work to feed our kids nutritious meals every day,” said Congressman McGovern. “Current reimbursement rates do not adequately cover food and labor costs for meal programs, which can lead to more processed, pre-packaged food. The next generation of Americans—our future doctors, nurses, teachers, engineers, mechanics, and leaders in every field across the country—all need us to step up and improve the quality of food in our schools. It will be a win-win for our economy, our farmers, our school nutrition workforce, and our students.”

“High costs and insufficient funds are hampering efforts to expand scratch cooking and reduce added sugar and sodium in school meals,” said School Nutrition Association President Stephanie Dillard, MS, SNS. “School meal programs desperately need increased reimbursements to invest in staff and training, upgrade kitchen equipment, and purchase more fresh and local produce. The Healthy Meals Help Kids Learn Act will ensure school nutrition professionals have the necessary resources to fuel student success and promote lifelong healthy eating habits.”

"Ensuring every child has access to nutritious meals at school isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s an investment in our future,” said Jason Gromley, senior director for Share Our Strength and its No Kid Hungry campaign. “Increasing the reimbursement rate for school meals will help districts meet the rising costs of food and labor, provide high-quality meals, and ensure every child is fueled for success in the classroom and beyond. We’re grateful for Rep. McGovern’s continued leadership in ending childhood hunger and urge Congress to join us in this fight."

“The Healthy Meals Help Kids Learn Act is a critical investment in our children's health and education and opens the doorway for more scratch cooking in schools and invests in the dedicated school food professionals who make it possible," said Chef Ann Foundation CEO Mara Fleishman. “School nutrition programs are stretched to the breaking point, and rising costs have made it difficult to serve the freshly prepared, minimally processed meals our students deserve. This isn't just about feeding kids. It's about fueling their potential, building healthier futures, and supporting the catalyst for change in this movement: An adequately compensated and valued school food workforce."

“Nutritious school meals are more than just fuel for the classroom—they’re a foundation for lifelong health. By increasing reimbursement rates, the Healthy Meals Help Kids Learn Act gives schools the support they need to serve meals that help prevent chronic conditions like obesity and cardiovascular disease. We applaud Representative McGovern for championing this critical investment in our children’s future, ensuring every student has the opportunity to grow up healthy and ready to thrive,” said Mark Schoeberl, EVP of Advocacy for the American Heart Association.

"School meals are essential for students' health and learning. At a time when too many children face growing rates of food insecurity and schools face rising meal and labor costs, the Healthy Meals Help Kids Learn Act would provide critical additional resources to support school meals. We applaud Rep. McGovern for reintroducing this legislation and urge members of Congress to co-sponsor this bill,” said Crystal FitzSimons, President of the Food Research & Action Center.

The Healthy Meals Help Kids Learn Act is endorsed by leading policy and advocacy organizations including the School Nutrition Association, Share Our Strength, American Heart Association, Chef Ann Foundation, and the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC).