The Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids Act
On July 20, 2022, House Committee on Education and Labor Chairman Bobby Scott (D-VA) introduced the Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids Act, the much-anticipated Child Nutrition Reauthorization (CNR) bill. FRAC strongly supports the bill, which includes many critical provisions that will dramatically expand children’s access to the federal nutrition programs.
Learn more about the Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids Act below:
- Read FRAC’s complete summary of the bill’s provisions.
- Find out how you and / or your organization can get involved.
What Is Child Nutrition Reauthorization?
Every five years, Child Nutrition Reauthorization (CNR) provides Congress with an opportunity to improve and strengthen the child nutrition and school meal programs. Although the current law, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-296), expired on September 30, 2015, the programs continue to operate.
Congress has an important opportunity in 2021 to improve the health of millions of our nation’s children by passing a strong reauthorization bill that strengthens and expands the child nutrition programs.
What does “Child Nutrition Reauthorization (CNR)” mean and how does it impact child nutrition programs? Explore our CNR Primer to learn more.
Explore Bills We’re Watching to find the latest Child Nutrition Reauthorization bill status and actions.
Child Nutrition Reauthorization Priorities
Explore FRAC’s latest resources on CNR:
Child Nutrition Reauthorization 2022 Primer
Learn More
Get a greater understanding of the CNR process and programs impacted.
FRAC's CNR Primer
Organize a site visit for your Member of Congress.
Site Visit Opportunities for Anti-Hunger Organizations
Follow our Child Nutrition Site Visit Guide.
Child Nutrition Site Visit Guide
More About the Programs
- School Meals
- Out of School MealsAfterschool Nutrition Programs
Summer Nutrition Programs50 to 40: Expanding Access to the Child Nutrition Programs
Check out FRAC’s state maps that show the impact of improving the area eligibility test for Summer, Afterschool, and Child Care Homes. Improving the test from its current 50 percent to 40 percent would considerably expand low-income children’s access to nutritious meals. - CACFP and WIC
116th Congress Bills
During the 116th Congress (2019–2020), there were several bills that were introduced for consideration for Child Nutrition Reauthorization (CNR). The bills were not expected to become law, but by co-sponsoring these bills, Members of Congress show their support for the provisions of these bills to be included in the final CNR bill.
Child Nutrition Reauthorization did not take place in 2016
The Child Nutrition Reauthorization did not take place in 2016, due in large part to stark policy differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill. Although the reauthorization bill expired on September 30, 2015, all programs continue to operate.
