What does Preamble of Feed Our Kids Act of 2026 do?

This bill proposes amendments to the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 and the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. The stated purpose of the bill is to make breakfasts and lunches free for all children. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on May 11, 2026.

What does EFFECTIVE DATE. of Feed Our Kids Act of 2026 do?

This Act will take effect one year after its enactment. Amendments made by this Act will also take effect one year after enactment, unless otherwise specified.

What does FREE SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAM. of Feed Our Kids Act of 2026 do?

This section amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to provide free breakfast to all children enrolled at participating schools. The national average payment for each free breakfast is set at $2.80, adjusted annually for inflation based on the Consumer Price Index for food away from home. States are required to disburse funds to schools selected by the state educational agency to operate breakfast programs. Schools are prohibited from collecting debt owed for unpaid meal charges and must continue to accrue debt for reimbursement purposes. Schools and school food authorities are prohibited from breakfast shaming or discriminating against children participating in the breakfast program, including overt identification methods. The Act removes references to ‘reduced price’ meals in several sections of the Child Nutrition Act.

What does APPORTIONMENT TO STATES. of Feed Our Kids Act of 2026 do?

This section amends Section 4(b) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. It establishes a national average payment of $4.63 for each free lunch, adjusted annually for inflation. It defines 'locally-sourced farm product' as products marketed directly or through intermediaries, produced and distributed within the state or within 250 miles of the school food authority. School food authorities may receive an additional payment if their state certifies they served at least 25% of meals with locally sourced products. The additional payment is $0.30 per free lunch and supper, $0.21 per free breakfast, and $0.08 per free supplement, also subject to annual inflation adjustments. Inflation adjustments are based on changes in the Consumer Price Index for food away from home. Payment rates will be rounded to the nearest lower-cent increment annually starting July 1, 2026.

What does NUTRITIONAL AND OTHER PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS. of Feed Our Kids Act of 2026 do?

This section amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to make all children enrolled in participating schools eligible to receive free lunch. The act eliminates requirements for reduced-price lunches and related provisions in several sections of the National School Lunch Act. It also amends the Social Security Act to provide safeguards restricting the use or disclosure of information concerning applicants and recipients. The act prohibits schools from collecting debt owed for unpaid meal charges as a condition of participation in the school lunch program. Schools are permitted to continue accruing debt for unpaid meal charges to receive reimbursement and until a specified effective date. The act prohibits schools from engaging in 'lunch shaming,' including physically segregating or overtly identifying children based on unpaid meal charges.

What does SPECIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. of Feed Our Kids Act of 2026 do?

This section repeals Section 11 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. Several sections of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act are amended to remove references to section 11. Section 7(d) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act is amended by striking 'or 11'. Section 7(a) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 is amended to remove references to section 11. Section 1101(j)(3) of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act is amended to remove references to meals served under section 11(a)(1) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act.

What does PRICE FOR A PAID LUNCH. of Feed Our Kids Act of 2026 do?

This section amends Section 12 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. Subsection (l)(4) is modified by striking subparagraph (D) and redesignating subparagraphs (E) through (M) as (D) through (L). Subsection (p) is struck. Subsections (q) and (r) are redesignated as (p) and (q), respectively.

What does SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN. of Feed Our Kids Act of 2026 do?

This section amends Section 13 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. It modifies eligibility criteria for the Summer Food Service Program for Children, replacing references to 'eligible for free or reduced price school meals' with 'economically disadvantaged students (as identified under a measure described in section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965).' The Secretary is granted the authority to waive program requirements that limit children's access to meals. All children are now eligible to participate in the program. Payments are made to service institutions for meals served during May through September, school vacations, teacher in-service days, and days school is closed due to specific causes. A service institution may receive payments for not more than 3 meals and 1 supplement per child per day. The bill modifies the timing of payments and expands the scope of meals covered.

What does CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM. of Feed Our Kids Act of 2026 do?

This section amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to modify the Child and Adult Care Food Program. It mandates that all meals and supplements served under the program be provided for free to participants. Institutions serving meals are reimbursed at rates established under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966. Reimbursement is limited to a maximum of 3 meals and 1 supplement per child per day. The program's name is changed from the 'Program for At-risk School Children' to the 'Afterschool Meal and Snack Program'. Eligibility criteria are revised, replacing 'at-risk school' with 'eligible'. The number of meals and supplements allowed per child per day is adjusted based on whether it is a regular school day.

What does MEALS AND SUPPLEMENTS FOR CHILDREN IN AFTERSCHOOL CARE. of Feed Our Kids Act of 2026 do?

This section amends Section 17A of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to modify reimbursement rates and procedures for meals and supplements provided to children in afterschool care. Free meals provided under this section will be reimbursed at a rate of $4.63, adjusted annually for inflation based on the Consumer Price Index for food away from home. Free supplements will be reimbursed at the rate applicable to free supplements under existing law. Institutions may claim reimbursement for no more than one meal and one supplement per day per child. Schools participating in the program are prohibited from physically segregating or discriminating against children due to unpaid meal charges, or overtly identifying them with tokens or lists. Effective upon enactment of this Act, schools may not collect debt for unpaid meal supplement charges as a condition of participation in the program. Debt for unpaid meal supplement charges will continue to accrue for reimbursement purposes under section 211 until a specified date. Schools are prohibited from collecting any debt owed for unpaid meal or meal supplement charges.

Back to bills

Feed Our Kids Act of 2026

Last updated: 5/11/2026 · Introduced: 5/11/2026

Author: Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill mandates free breakfasts and lunches for all children enrolled in participating schools, eliminating requirements for reduced-price meals.
It establishes a national average payment of $4.63 for free lunches and adjusts payment rates for breakfasts, lunches, and supplements annually to account for inflation.
The bill prohibits schools from collecting debt owed for unpaid meal charges and engaging in practices like 'lunch shaming' or overtly identifying students with unpaid balances.
It expands eligibility for the Summer Food Service Program for Children to include all children and allows the Secretary to waive program requirements to improve access to meals.
A new 'Reimbursement of School Meal Delinquent Debt Program' will reimburse schools for unpaid meal debt incurred before the Act's effective date.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

Verified Votes

No verified votes yet.

Community Votes

No community votes yet. Be the first!

Voting as guest · Sign in for verified votes

Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, effective date..

2 sections

Click "Show details" to explore individual sections. Use the community vote above or visit All Sections to vote per section.

Read official text

TITLE I

-SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAM

1 section

Click "Show details" to explore individual sections. Use the community vote above or visit All Sections to vote per section.

Read official text

TITLE II

-SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM

12 sections

Click "Show details" to explore individual sections. Use the community vote above or visit All Sections to vote per section.

Read official text

TITLE III

-REPORT

1 section

Click "Show details" to explore individual sections. Use the community vote above or visit All Sections to vote per section.

Read official text

Want the full experience?

Create a free account to cast verified votes on each section, get a personalized summary, and track your voting history.

Create Free Account