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Bipartisan bill to expand summer meal access introduced in U.S. Senate

The Hunger-Free Summer for Kids Act would get rid of the requirement that students eat their summer meals at a centralized location.

Benita Gingerella, Senior Editor

June 15, 2021

1 Min Read
A girl eating a watermelon.
Photograph: Shutterstock

A bipartisan group of senators has introduced a new bill to expand summer meal access for American students. 

The Hunger-Free Summer for Kids Act would eliminate the Summer Food Service Program requirement that students come to a centralized feeding site to eat their meals. 

Instead, states would be allowed to let kids eat summer meals offsite through mobile feeding and backpack meal programs. Alternatively, they could also utilize the summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) program, which would give eligible families $30 per child each month during the summer to purchase eligible food items from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) approved retailers.

About the Author

Benita Gingerella

Senior Editor

Benita is a senior editor for FoodService Director and covers K-12 foodservice. She has been with the publication since 2016. In her spare time, Benita is an avid restaurant-goer and loves to travel extensively.

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