Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Securing Nutrition for American Communities and Kids Act of 2022” or the “SNACK Act”.
Securing Nutrition for American Communities and Kids Act of 2022
A BILL
To amend the Families First Coronavirus Response Act to extend certain waivers related to child nutrition, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Findings
Congress finds the following:
Supply chain disruptions have made it difficult for schools to get sufficient meals and supplies needed to serve lunches to students.
School food authorities are going the extra mile to provide students with nutritious meals, given the ongoing supply chain issues.
In a 2021 survey of school nutrition directors, 97 percent expressed concerns with continued pandemic supply chain disruptions, with 65 percent citing this as a serious concern.
Eligible children should be spared the harmful consequences of current supply chain shortages by receiving school-based meals.
School food authorities should have the necessary flexibilities to address supply chain shortages.
School food authorities should receive full meal reimbursement for meals provided when impacted by supply chain delays beyond their control.
School food authorities have achieved extraordinary success in keeping children fed throughout the pandemic. They should be recognized for this service and supported in ongoing work.
Due to the uncertainty of supply chains and inflation, school food authorities should have the ability to apply for waivers retroactively, recognizing disruptions may occur as late as the day of service.
Before the pandemic, summer meal sites were required to serve meals at a defined location, also known as congregate meals. Due to the pandemic, sites and schools were allowed to serve non-congregate meals, meaning parents could pick up meals or organizations could drop off multiple meals at a child’s home.
Non-congregate waivers for summer meals made it easier for school food authorities to feed eligible kids during the summer months. Allowing non-congregate waivers for the summer of 2022 will give school food authorities the stability they need to feed eligible kids for the remainder of the summer.
Sec. 3 Extension of waivers
Section 2202(e) of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (42 U.S.C. 1760 note) is amended to read as follows:
“(e) Sunsets
“(1) In general—Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), the authority of the Secretary to establish or grant a waiver under this section shall expire on June 30, 2022: Provided, That such waivers shall only apply to school year 2021–2022.
“(2) Non-Congregate Summer Food Service Program Waiver—The authority of the Secretary to grant or extend a waiver under this section with respect to congregate feeding under the qualified program described in subsection (f)(1)(D), and any waiver so granted or extended, shall expire on September 30, 2022.
“(3) Supply Chain Meal Pattern Waiver—The authority of the Secretary to grant or extend a waiver under subsection (c), and any waiver so granted or extended, shall expire on June 30, 2024.”