Healthy Meals Help Kids Learn

Summary#

This bill would change two federal child nutrition laws to raise the per-meal payments schools receive. Starting November 1, 2025, school food authorities would get an extra $0.45 for each lunch served and an extra $0.28 for each breakfast served (the breakfast increase applies to free, reduced-price, and paid breakfasts). Both amounts are set to be adjusted beginning July 1, 2026, under section 11(a)(3) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. The bill amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966.

What it means for you#

  • If you run or work in a school food program, your school food authority would receive additional money per meal starting November 1, 2025.
  • If you are a student or family, the bill text does not change meal eligibility rules or state whether meal prices for paid students would change.
  • The bill was introduced October 14, 2025, and referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Expenses#

  • The bill specifies an additional reimbursement of $0.45 per lunch and $0.28 per breakfast beginning November 1, 2025.
  • Both amounts are subject to an adjustment rule referenced as section 11(a)(3) starting July 1, 2026.
  • No publicly available information on the bill’s total cost, fiscal estimates, or how the additional payments would be funded.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.