Tell Congress:
“The upcoming investment package, being introduced by President Biden, provides the perfect opportunity to establish Healthy School Meals for All. Our country’s infrastructure is not just roads and bridges, it includes human infrastructure, too. Include school meals for all in forthcoming investment legislation as well as extending the increase in SNAP/food stamp benefits, critical tools to end hunger in America.”
The passage of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan was a solid start to address the challenges facing our country.
But we have more work to do.
The upcoming investment plans being proposed by President Biden provide the perfect opportunity to establish Healthy School Meals for All. America’s infrastructure is not just roads and bridges, it includes our food distribution system and how we get nutritious meals to all those who need it, especially including our children.
This last year has underscored what educators and nutrition and anti-hunger advocates have known: there are countless children who need a nutritious breakfast and lunch at school but don’t get them.
The current system is flawed. It leaves out too many children who need nutritious meals. Some feel the stigma of being marked as low-income, and go without food instead. In communities where every child gets a free meal, the stigma goes away and nutrition improves.
We have an important opportunity before us. As we begin to recover from the pandemic, we can make our country better. More fair, more inclusive. As part of that mission, we are fighting to ensure all students are hunger-free and ready to learn.
Tell Congress to pass legislation that provides healthy school meals—for all.
The Human Needs Report is CHN’s newsletter on national policy issues affecting low-income and other vulnerable populations.
