New York Anti-Hunger Conference

The Nuts and Bolts of Child Nutrition Reauthorization

Feeding Children Where they Live, Learn and Play

Signe AndersonSenior Child Nutrition Analyst

Food Research & Action Centersanderson@frac.org

May 7, 2015

Poverty in AmericaThe Facts

One in six people live in poverty - 2013• 98.8 million people, or 32.1% of all Americans*,

live on less than 185 percent of the federal poverty level

Children under 18• 19.5% (14.1 million) live in poverty – 2013

• 41.6% (30.1 million) live in families with incomes below 185 percent of the federal poverty level.

Hunger in AmericaThe Facts

One in seven Americans struggle with hunger - 2013 • 49 million Americans live in households that struggle

with hunger• 15.7 million children (21.4 % of all children)• 17.1 million people live in households with very low

food security

Food insecurity has remained elevated and virtually unchanged since 2008 • 35.1 million - 38.2 million - annual number of people in

food insecure households (2003 – 2007) • 48.8 million - 50.2 million people (2008 – 2013)

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Food Insecurity Defined

• Food insecurity exists when there are disruptions in the quality and/or quantity of the household food supply due to a lack of financial or other resources

• More specific:• Low food secure – household reduced the quality, variety,

and desirability of their diets, but the quantity of food intake and normal eating patterns were not substantially disrupted

• Very low food secure – household reduced the quality, variety, and desirability of their diets, AND the quantity of food intake and normal eating patterns were substantially disrupted

Legislative Outlook for 2015

Expected Attacks:

• Structure and reach of SNAP/Food Stamps

• Entitlement programs that support low-income people (FY2016 Budget)

• Non-defense discretionary programs

• Immigrant support programs

2015: Child Nutrition Reauthorization

#childnutrition2015

CNR Background & History

• 1946 School lunch program• 1966 Expands school lunch, adds breakfast• 1972 WIC pilot established• 1992 WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program• 1994 Dietary Guidelines for Americans• 2010 Nutrition standards

photo credit: USDA Farm to School

The Basics

• Every 5 years, Congress reauthorizes the federal child nutrition programs, including:

• National School Lunch Program (NSLP)• School Breakfast Program (SBP)• Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)• Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)• Afterschool Snack and Meal Program• Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) • WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (WIC FMNP)

• Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP)*#childnutrition2015

Who Benefits from CN Programs?2013 Data

• 11.2 million low-income children received free or reduced-price breakfast; 21 million low-income children received free or reduced-price lunches

• 2.96 million low-income children received summer meals

• 8.66 million women, infants and children participated in WIC

• CACFP provided meals to 3.5 million children each day

#childnutrition2015

The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010

• Expanded Afterschool Meal Program to all 50 states• Enhanced nutritional quality of food served in school-based

and preschool settings • Added a six cent increase in the federal reimbursement

rate• Established Community Eligibility• Supported Summer Food expansion • Mandated WIC electronic benefit transfer (EBT)

implementation nationwide • Improved area eligibility rules so more family child care

homes can use CACFP

#childnutrition2015

Adequate Food & Nutrition is the Foundation for a Healthy Productive Life

SNAP, Child Nutrition & School Meal Programs stave-off worst effects of malnutrition:

• Low birth weight • Diminished immune function • Developmental and emotional growth• Educational attainment • Greater odds of being hospitalized• Decreased earning power• Chronic disease - typically found in adults like diabetes

- are on the rise in children• High health care costs throughout life

#childnutrition2015

Child Nutrition Reauthorization Goals

1. Do no harm

2. Increase access to the child nutrition programs to ensure that low-income children have healthy and nutritious foods in school based, preschool & child care, and out of school time settings

3. Make the child nutrition programs easier to operate for sponsors and providers

#childnutrition2015

Legislative Proposals

Summer Meals Act, S. 613 / H.R. 1728)Sponsors: Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) & Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)

Reps. Don Young (R‐AK) & Rick Larsen (D‐WA)

Expands access, strengthens and simplifies administration of the summer meal (and afterschool) programs

Stop Child Summer Hunger Act of 2014to be introduced

Sponsor: Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)Rep. Susan Davis (D-CA)

Families who have children eligible for free or reduced-price school meals will receive a summer EBT card to purchase food to

replace the meals that children receive during the school year

#childnutrition2015

Legislative Proposals

Expand School Meals Act of 2014 , to be introduced

Sponsor: Sen. Al Franken (D-MN)

Eliminates the reduced-price category for school meals- serving all kids free up to 185 percent of poverty

School Food Modernization Act, S. 540Sponsors: Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) & Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND)

Establishes loan guarantees to local educational agencies or school food authorities administering or operating a school lunch program to finance the construction, remodeling, or expansion of infrastructure (or the purchase of

equipment) that will facilitate the provision of healthy meals through the school lunch program

#childnutrition2015

How Effective is Your Advocacy?

CN Reauthorization To-Do List

Message to Members:• Members of Congress should cosponsor and support

bills that expand access, preserve the nutrition integrity and improve the administration of the school meals and child nutrition programs

Advocacy Plan: • Organize a site visit with Members of Congress• Organize a community call or other advocacy models

to communicate directly with your Members of Congress

#childnutrition2015

3. Organize a Site Visit

FRAC’s Site Visit Resources

Site Visit Opportunities for Members of Congress

FRAC 101: CN Site Visit Guide

Model invitations and scheduling request

#childnutrition2015

3. Organize a Community Call

A Community Call is an effective and efficient

way for advocates who have limited travel budgets to connect with their Members of

Congress throughout the year

FRAC 101: Community Call Guide

FRAC's Advocacy Tools

#childnutrition2015

Join the Conversation on Twitter and Stay in the Know

Follow us @fractweets and use the hashtag #childnutrition2015, #CNR2015,

#nutrition4kids and #endhungernow in your advocacy efforts

Stay on top of the latest news and register for FRAC’s action alerts @ www.frac.org

#childnutrition2015