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119-s-5460119th CongressWALLET

Healthy Meals Help Kids Learn Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]

Introduced

Summary

Would add a flat federal increase to school meal payments to strengthen school meal programs and student nutrition. Beginning October 1, 2026, it would raise per-lunch payments by 45 cents and per-breakfast payments by 28 cents, with those amounts adjusted under the law's existing adjustment formula starting July 1, 2027.

Show full summary
  • Students and families: More federal support per meal could improve students' access to regular breakfasts and lunches. The lift targets school meal availability where families rely on school food.
  • School food authorities: The change creates entitlement-like per-meal increases that could ease budget pressure on meal programs and help sustain operations.
  • Scope and mechanics: The increases would apply to lunches under the National School Lunch Act and to breakfasts under the Child Nutrition Act. The breakfast uplift covers free, reduced-price, and paid breakfasts served by school food authorities.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

More school meal money for kids

If enacted, school food authorities would get an extra $0.45 for each lunch they serve starting October 1, 2026. They would also get an extra $0.28 for each breakfast starting that same date. Those amounts would be adjusted beginning July 1, 2027 under the bill’s referenced adjustment mechanism. Payments go to school food authorities, so families might see small improvements in meal quality or lower meal prices depending on local school choices.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]

NM • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 9/28/2026

  • Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT]

    VT • D

    Sponsored 9/24/2026

  • Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 9/24/2026

  • Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 9/23/2026

  • Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 9/23/2026

  • Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]

    NH • D

    Sponsored 9/23/2026

  • Sen. Fetterman, John [D-PA]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 9/23/2026

  • Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 9/23/2026

  • Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI]

    RI • D

    Sponsored 9/23/2026

  • Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 9/23/2026

  • Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 9/23/2026

  • Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 9/23/2026

  • Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]

    CO • D

    Sponsored 9/23/2026

  • Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]

    NV • D

    Sponsored 9/23/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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