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119-hr-5731119th CongressWALLET
School Food Modernization Act
Sponsored By: Representative DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10]
In Committee
Summary
This bill would create new loan, grant, and training programs to help schools upgrade kitchens and train staff, with a focus on modernizing school lunch facilities and equipment. It pairs loan guarantees, competitive equipment grants, and training to boost meal quality and food safety.
Show full summary
- Gives local educational agencies and tribal organizations access to loan guarantees and equipment grants for construction, remodels, and durable equipment purchases, backed by a $300 million loan reserve and up to $35 million per year in equipment grants (FY2026–2031).
- Creates competitive grants for nonprofits, colleges, and career schools to deliver training and technical assistance so school food staff meet updated nutrition standards. It authorizes $10 million per year (FY2026–2031) and limits the federal share to 80 percent with required matching contributions.
- Requires annual implementation reports and a study of how States use administrative expense funds to support training, plus a report to Congress within 18 months. The bill also rescinds $45 million of unobligated Department of Education administration funds.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Loan guarantees for school kitchens
If enacted, the bill would let USDA guarantee loans to build, remodel, or expand school food storage, kitchens, cafeterias, and buy durable equipment. Guarantees could cover up to 80 percent of a loan's principal. The bill would reserve $300 million of existing loan guarantee authority for this purpose. The Secretary would set fees to cover costs and could use up to 5 percent of funds each year for technical assistance. The Secretary would give preference to schools or tribes with substantial or disproportionate need.
Grants to train school food staff
If enacted, the bill would create competitive grants for nonprofits, colleges, and career schools to train school food service staff. The federal share would be limited to 80 percent of training costs and grantees would have to provide matching support. The bill would authorize $10 million per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2031. The Secretary could use up to 5 percent each year for applicant technical assistance.
Key program definitions for schools
If enacted, the bill would add clear definitions for the new school food programs. "Durable equipment" would mean food prep, cooking, serving, handling, or storage items valued over $500. "Eligible entity" would mean local educational agencies or school food authorities that run school meal programs, tribal organizations, or consortia including them. "Infrastructure" would mean kitchens, cafeterias, dining rooms, food service or preparation facilities, and food storage.
State grants for school meal equipment
If enacted, starting in fiscal year 2026 the bill would authorize grants to State agencies to give competitive subgrants to school districts and tribes for durable equipment. The bill would authorize about $35 million per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2031, subject to annual appropriations. States would have to prefer applicants with substantial or disproportionate need. The Secretary could use up to 5 percent each year of grant money for technical assistance.
Rescind $45M from Education admin
If enacted, the bill would rescind $45 million of the Department of Education's unobligated administrative funds. The rescission would apply upon enactment and would reduce available DOE administrative balances by $45 million.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10]
CA • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15]
PA • R
Sponsored 10/10/2025
Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9]
CA • D
Sponsored 10/17/2025
Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2]
WI • D
Sponsored 11/17/2025
Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9]
MA • D
Sponsored 11/18/2025
Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-4]
CA • D
Sponsored 11/18/2025
Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]
TN • D
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Rep. Whitesides, George [D-CA-27]
CA • D
Sponsored 3/25/2026
Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7]
AZ • D
Sponsored 4/20/2026
Rep. Comer, James [R-KY-1]
KY • R
Sponsored 6/18/2026
Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6]
GA • D
Sponsored 6/18/2026
Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2]
MA • D
Sponsored 6/18/2026
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 6/18/2026
Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1]
ME • D
Sponsored 6/18/2026
Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5]
PA • D
Sponsored 6/18/2026
Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3]
OH • D
Sponsored 6/30/2026
Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2]
AL • D
Sponsored 7/9/2026
Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8]
WA • D
Sponsored 7/27/2026
Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8]
IL • D
Sponsored 8/3/2026
Rep. Kaptur, Marcy [D-OH-9]
OH • D
Sponsored 8/20/2026
Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15]
CA • D
Sponsored 8/31/2026
Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5]
CT • D
Sponsored 9/21/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov