[First name],

On June 30, 10 million children in the U.S. will lose access to free, healthy meals. 

To prevent this from happening, Congress must act immediately. 

In order to protect free meals for kids, Congress must extend the Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) authority to provide child nutrition waivers to schools and communities.

We know that children need ample, nutritious food to learn and grow inside and outside of the classroom. These child nutrition waivers are essential to ensuring children receive the meals and proper nutrition they need to thrive. For the past two years, schools and communities have relied on the waivers to reach and feed children wherever they are. 

Pandemic instability persists across the country. Inflation continues causing food costs to rise. Yet, Congress is letting our children go hungry. 

But we will not stand for this.

Congress has the power to support schools and communities. They have the power to protect free school meals for our children. However, the deadline to extend these essential nutrition waivers is quickly approaching. That’s why we must put pressure on Congress and DEMAND that they ensure kids don’t lose healthy meals. 

Contact your member of Congress today. Demand that they cosponsor and push for the passage of the bipartisan Keeping School Meals Flexible Act (H.R. 6613) in the House and the Support Kids Not Red Tape Act (S. 3979) in the Senate. And demand that they ensure an extension of the waivers are included in any upcoming must-pass COVID-19 relief legislation.

Tell your members of Congress: Don’t take meals away from kids! Protect free school meals for our children by supporting current efforts to extend the child nutrition waivers before the June 30 expiration! 

In action,

Emma Mehrabi

Director of Federal Policy

Children's Defense Fund© All rights reserved

840 First St NE, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20002