Federal lawmaker calls on peers to address school nutrition staffing issues

This week, a federal lawmaker is asking his peers to provide funding to address staffing issues in school nutrition. Also, this week at the state level, lawmakers in Maryland and Delaware take action on bills related to universal free meals.

Here’s the latest in school nutrition legislation.

Federal lawmaker wants funding to improve school nutrition staffing

U.S. Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA) is calling on the Agriculture Subcommittee within the House Appropriations Committee to address the staffing shortages currently impacting the school nutrition industry.

As first reported by the School Nutrition Association, McGovern is asking members of the House of Representatives to sign a letter he penned to the Agriculture Subcommittee which asks for additional funding in the Fiscal Year Agriculture Appropriations bill to address current challenges in the school foodservice industry.

His letter calls for additional funding to support two pilot programs which are aimed at providing training, workforce development and more to bring chefs and additional workers to schools.

Labor continues to be a major challenge for school nutrition professionals nationwide. According to a recent report by the SNA, staff shortages were listed as a top concern by the school nutrition professionals who participated in the survey.

Maryland law will look at costs associated with free school meals

A bill in Maryland that will look at the costs association with offering universal free meals at school has been signed into law by Governor Wes Moore.

SB 0579 requires the state’s Department of Education to submit a report to the General Assembly by the end of the year that provides a cost estimate for providing free school breakfast and lunch to all public school students in the state.

Originally, the bill would have provided free school breakfast and lunch to all students, however, it was amended as it made its way through the House and Senate.

Delaware considers covering reduced-price meals at school

A substitute bill has been introduced in Delaware that would cover the cost of meals at school for students who qualify for reduced-price meals.

The bill replaces H.B. 125 which would have provided free meals at school to all students, regardless of if they qualify for reduced-price meals. It is currently in the House Appropriations Committee.

See which states currently offer universal free meals via the map below: