September 23, 2026
Mr. Heinrich (for himself, Mr. Kim, Mr. Padilla, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Fetterman, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mr. Reed, Mr. Booker, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Bennet, and Ms. Rosen) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
To amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to increase reimbursement rates of school meals, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Healthy Meals Help Kids Learn Act of 2026
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Sec. 2. Increasing the reimbursement rate of school meals
(a) School lunch increase
Section 4(b) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1753(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(4) Nonperformance-based additional reimbursement
(A) In general
Beginning on October 1, 2026, each lunch served in school food authorities shall receive an additional 45 cents.
(B) Adjustment
The amount in subparagraph (A) shall be adjusted in accordance with section 11(a)(3) beginning on July 1, 2027.
(b) School breakfast increase
Section 4(b)(1) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773(b)(1)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(F) Nonperformance-based additional reimbursement
(i) In general
Beginning on October 1, 2026, each free breakfast, reduced price breakfast, and breakfast served to children not eligible for free or reduced price meals served in school food authorities shall receive an additional 28 cents.
(ii) Adjustment
The amount in clause (i) shall be adjusted in accordance with section 11(a)(3) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act beginning on July 1, 2027 (42 U.S.C. 1759a(a)(3)).