This includes measures to undercut the Community Eligibility Provision, which has been in place since 2010 to successfully help low-income school meal programs focus on feeding kids, not on red tape. The proposed changes would also put more burdensome paperwork on parents and families, educators, and school nutrition professionals. The farm to school movement believes the school cafeteria should be a welcoming, educational experience for all kids that benefits them now and prepares them for a healthy future. Let your legislators know that measures like these proposed cuts have no place if we are to make progress toward that vision. 

Thankfully, the House Ed and Workforce Committee draft did not include any changes to school meals. Next, the House Agriculture Committee will meet to consider potential cuts in their portfolio, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Because SNAP and Medicaid participation are integral to how Community Eligibility is calculated for districts, major changes that kick families off the programs will have an impact on CEP participation – and access to meals for the whole school. Similarly, the Senate Agriculture Committee will also meet to consider changes to agriculture and nutrition programs. It’s important they hear this message to keep nutrition programs strong overall, and to reject the overly sweeping cuts that would endanger kids and producers.