FRAC Deeply Disappointed Child Nutrition Isn’t Prioritized in Omnibus Bill, Calls on Congress to Give USDA Waiver Authority in Final Bill

WASHINGTON, March 9, 2022  — The Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) is deeply disappointed that the extension of the child nutrition waivers was not included in the Omnibus spending bill posted today by the Senate Appropriations Committee. If the waiver extension is not included in the final bill, the waivers will end on June 30, 2022, causing millions of children to face a hunger cliff when they lose access to summer and school meals. 

USDA Report Underscores the Urgent Need to Extend Child Nutrition Waivers

WASHINGTON, March 7, 2022 — Congress must provide the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) with the authority to continue child nutrition waivers through the 2022-2023 school year in the appropriations package currently being negotiated and expected to pass this week.

These waivers have been critical in supporting school nutrition operations so that children would have access to school and summer meals throughout the pandemic, and they are needed as schools and families recover from and respond to the economic, health, and educational fallout from the pandemic.

New Report: Older Adults Say Temporary Boosts to Nutrition Program Benefits Are Critical to Health, Well-Being

WASHINGTON, February 24, 2022 — An overwhelming majority of more than two dozen older adults interviewed about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) said increased benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic improved their food-purchasing power, nutrition, health, and well-being. This is according to a new report, The Case for Making SNAP Benefits Adequate: Reflections from Interviews with Older Adults, released today by the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) and commissioned by AARP Foundation.