HR 2402119th CongressIn Committee

No Hungry Kids in Schools Act

Introduced: Mar 27, 2025

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

No Hungry Kids in Schools Act would modify the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to allow states to run a statewide community eligibility (CE) program beginning in the 2025-2026 school year. Under this option, a state agency would provide non-federal funds to ensure that every applicable school in the state receives the federal “free reimbursement” rate for 100% of meals served. If a state adopts this option, certain CE parameters would change: (I) the multiplier used to determine reimbursements would still apply, (II) the threshold for CE eligibility would be zero, and (III) the percentage of identified students would be calculated across all applicable schools in the state rather than by individual local education agencies (LEAs). In short, the bill would enable a statewide CE approach funded by the state to guarantee free meals across participating schools, starting with school years after July 1, 2025. The effect would be to broaden access to free meals for students across an entire state, reduce administrative barriers at the local level, and shift some eligibility calculations from LEA-level to state-level. States would decide whether to participate and would need to commit non-federal funds to cover the costs beyond the existing federal reimbursement structure.

Key Points

1It creates an option for a statewide community eligibility program under the National School Lunch Act starting with the 2025-2026 school year (school year beginning on or after July 1, 2025).
2A state agency must agree to fund non-federal sources to ensure that local educational agencies in the state receive the free reimbursement rate for 100% of meals served at applicable schools.
3If chosen, the CE program would apply: (I) the existing multiplier (clause v vii) to determine reimbursements, (II) a zero threshold (clause v iii), and (III) calculation of the percentage of identified students across all applicable state schools, not by individual LEAs.
4The change shifts CE eligibility and funding considerations from local agencies to a state-wide framework, contingent on state-level funding.
5The bill is titled the “No Hungry Kids in Schools Act” and is introduced in the House of Representatives (H.R. 2402) with multiple initial sponsors.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected- Students in participating states who attend applicable schools, especially those in high-poverty areas, who would receive free meals under a statewide CE program.- State education agencies and local educational agencies (LEAs) responsible for administering school meal programs.- School nutrition programs and food service staff who would operate under a state-funded CE model.Secondary group/area affected- Families and households with students in participating states, potentially reducing meal costs and stigma associated with free meals.- State and local governments, which would need to allocate non-federal funds to sustain the statewide CE program.- Vendors and suppliers in school nutrition programs, which may experience changes in purchasing and meal program administration.Additional impacts- Administrative and data reporting changes, as calculations of “identified students” would be done across all state schools rather than by LEA, and the state would manage funding to cover the difference between federal reimbursements and total meal costs.- Potential budgetary implications for states adopting the program, as non-federal funding would be required to sustain 100% free meals.- Interaction with existing CE eligibility rules, funding formulas, and the Secretary’s definitions of “applicable schools” and other CE terms.

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