Build Back Better Act would expand free student meal access and more

The House Education and Labor Committee just released its portion of the Build Back Better Act, which would provide just under $35 billion toward reducing childhood hunger.

According to a fact sheet released by the committee, the bill would expand school meal eligibility to give 9 million more children access to free school meals. In addition, it would set up a nationwide program to provide Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (Summer EBT) benefits to eligible low-income children.

The bill would also allot funding toward updating school kitchen equipment and investing in health-focused nutrition programs for students.