Feeding America Strongly Opposes Child Nutrition Integrity And Access Act Of 2016

"Feeding America strongly opposes the Improving Child Nutrition Integrity and Access Act of 2016, which passed the House Education and Workforce Committee today. We are deeply disappointed that at a time when more than 15 million children are struggling with food insecurity, the House Committee voted to reduce access to school meals rather than making the critical investment necessary for our nation's future. With only 18 percent of kids receiving free or reduced price meals getting meals in the summer, we have an opportunity and an obligation to strengthen these critical programs to ensure that every child in America can reach his or her full potential.

"Given the fact that school lunch and breakfast provide a critical lifeline to low-income children whose families continue to struggle in the wake of the great recession, it is inconceivable that Committee members chose at the 11^th hour to add a harmful proposal to block grant the school meal programs in three states. This provision would erode  the long-standing federal commitment to ensuring all children, whether they live in Maine or Montana, have the nutrition they need to grow and thrive and would leave programs unable to respond to changes in need in those three states.

"We urge Congress to come together and pass a strong, bipartisan child nutrition reauthorization that ensures that all children have access to healthy meals they need at home, at school, and during out-of-school times."

About Feeding America
Feeding America is a nationwide network of 200 food banks that leads the fight against hunger in the United States. Together, we provide food to more than 46 million people through food pantries and meal programs in communities throughout America. Feeding America also supports programs that improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Individuals, charities, businesses and government all have a role in ending hunger. Donate. Volunteer. Advocate. Educate. Together we can solve hunger. Visit http://www.feedingamerica.org/. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FeedingAmerica or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/FeedingAmerica.

Contact:
Ross Fraser
Feeding America
312.641.6422

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SOURCE Feeding America

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http://www.feedingamerica.org