Today U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) introduced legislation to improve low-income children’s access to nutritious after-school meals and snacks.  This legislation, the Ensuring All Students Year-round (EASY) Access to Meals and Snacks Act, would amend the Child Nutrition Act to allow the organizations that currently serve snacks and meals during summer programs expanded federal reimbursement to serve low-income children throughout the school year, improving nutrition for this potentially vulnerable population.

“Our country has a moral obligation to make sure that kids get enough to eat every day.  Improving nutrition for low-income kids helps them perform better in school and avoid serious health problems down the road,” said Rep. Larsen. “At a time when Food Stamp use is skyrocketing and millions of Americans are struggling to make ends meet, the EASY Access to Meals and Snacks Act will help more low-income children get the food they need to be healthy and productive.”

Under current law, organizations that run summer camps can receive federal reimbursement for the meals they provide to low-income children through the Summer Food Service Program.  During the school year, however, these same organizations have to apply for reimbursement through a separate program, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and then only receive approximately 70 cents for each snack they provide to a low-income child.  Some organizations simply opt not to apply for federal reimbursement for snacks during the school year because the paperwork is too cumbersome and the reimbursement rates are so low.

The EASY Access to Meals and Snacks Act will allow organizations that serve meals during the summer to also receive federal reimbursement for up to one meal and one snack served during after-school programs. 

“The number of households facing hunger in Washington state rose 24% over the last year,” said Linda Stone, Senior Food Policy Coordinator of the Washington State Children’s Alliance.  “With more of our neighbors experiencing tough economic times, Congressman Larsen’s bill will make it easier for communities to come together to help ensure kids have the nutrition they need.”

Providing after-school snacks through the Summer Food Service Program has been a successful pilot program in California over the last five years, with data showing that more needy kids got access to nutritious snacks and meals.  Christine Destry of the Whatcom Boys and Girls Club saw this concept work first-hand while working with child nutrition programs in California.

“We provide thousands of federally-supported meals to low-income kids during the summer, but there just isn’t the same support available for an after-school nutrition program,” said Destry. “Congressman Larsen’s legislation will go a long way towards helping low-income kids in Whatcom County get enough to eat all year round.”

Congress will consider a series of changes to the Child Nutrition Act, with hearings tentatively scheduled to begin in the Education and Labor Committee in 2010.

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