Keep Kids Fed Act of 2022
Sponsored By: Senator Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Became Law
Summary
Temporary boosts to school and child nutrition payments support meal programs while COVID-era waiver authority is narrowed and given specific expiration dates. The law adds short-term reimbursements and orders USDA help so schools and families can transition as waivers phase out.
Show full summary
- Families and students: Some COVID-era meal flexibilities remain but many waivers carry fixed sunsets through mid‑2023, changing where expanded meal rules apply.
- School food authorities: Schools get extra funding of 40 cents per lunch and 15 cents per breakfast for the school year beginning July 2022, and USDA may disburse those funds to districts.
- Childcare providers: The Child and Adult Care Food Program receives an extra 10 cents per meal or supplement for the 2022–2023 school year and certain Tier II homes are treated as Tier I for that year.
- Federal funding and budget: The law rescinds about $3.6 billion in unobligated COVID-era balances from prior relief acts and creates targeted appropriations to fund the temporary meal payments.
- USDA operations: The Secretary must provide technical assistance to states and school food authorities to aid parents and school leaders in transitioning programs as waivers end.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Pulls back $3.6B in unused COVID funds
The law permanently takes back $3.6 billion in unobligated pandemic funds. It rescinds $1.0 billion from USDA (ARP section 1001(a)), $400 million from USDA (2021 division N section 751), $600 million from USDA (CARES Act Office of the Secretary), $400 million from the Department of Education (ARP section 2003 for higher education), and $1.2 billion from the Small Business Administration (ARP section 5005 and related division N funds). It also changes a past rule so it applies only to fiscal years 2021 and 2022.
School meal waivers wind down, limited extensions
The law narrows COVID-era waivers for child nutrition programs. Most CACFP waivers end June 30, 2022; many school-year waivers end after June 30, 2022; and the main waiver power ends September 30, 2022. Meal pattern waivers can continue through June 30, 2023. USDA can set nationwide waivers for the 2022–2023 school year, but none go past June 30, 2023. The law also funds limited summer waivers for May–September 2022 and requires USDA to help states and schools transition back to normal rules.
More money for school and daycare meals
For the school year starting July 2022, schools get 15¢ more per breakfast and 40¢ more per lunch. Child and Adult Care Food Program sites get 10¢ more per meal or snack. Some Tier II family day care homes are treated as Tier I for that year, which can mean higher pay rates. The law funds these increases and states pass the money to local meal programs. These changes apply only for that one school year.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
NH • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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