Federal · 119th Congress
Healthy Meals Help Kids Learn Act of 2026
Policy areaAgriculture and Food
Summary
This bill permanently increases the federal reimbursement rates for the school lunch and breakfast programs.
Specifically, beginning October 1, 2026, the bill provides an additional 45 cents per lunch served in the National School Lunch Program and an additional 28 cents per breakfast served in the School Breakfast Program. These amounts must be adjusted annually for inflation beginning July 1, 2027.
Sponsor
Cosponsors14
Michael F. BennetDU.S. Senator · CO
Cory A. BookerDU.S. Senator · NJ
John FettermanDU.S. Senator · PA
Kirsten E. GillibrandDU.S. Senator · NY
Andy KimDU.S. Senator · NJ
Alex PadillaDU.S. Senator · CA
Jack ReedDU.S. Senator · RI
Jacky RosenDU.S. Senator · NV
Jeanne ShaheenDU.S. Senator · NH
Chris Van HollenDU.S. Senator · MD
Ron WydenDU.S. Senator · OR
Richard BlumenthalDU.S. Senator · CT12 of 14
Other titles2
A bill 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.Official Title as Introduced
Healthy Meals Help Kids Learn Act of 2026Short Title(s) as Introduced
Legislative history1
Sep 23, 2026
SenateRead twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.