[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 10415 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 10415
To amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to authorize
the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants to certain institutions of
higher education to provide free meals to low-income students, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 16, 2026
Ms. Barragan (for herself, Mrs. Beatty, Mr. Carbajal, Mr. Carter of
Louisiana, Ms. Clarke of New York, Mr. Costa, Ms. Crockett, Mr. Davis
of Illinois, Ms. Dean of Pennsylvania, Mr. DeSaulnier, Mr. Garcia of
Illinois, Ms. Garcia of Texas, Mr. Horsford, Mr. Jackson of Illinois,
Mr. Krishnamoorthi, Mr. Lynch, Ms. Moore of Wisconsin, Mr. Moulton, Ms.
Norton, Mr. Panetta, Ms. Ross, Ms. Schakowsky, Mr. Smith of Washington,
Ms. Stansbury, Ms. Tlaib, Mrs. Watson Coleman, and Ms. Wilson of
Florida) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Education and Workforce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to authorize
the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants to certain institutions of
higher education to provide free meals to low-income students, 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 ``Food for Thought Act of 2026''.
SEC. 2. FREE MEALS FOR LOW-INCOME COLLEGE STUDENTS.
Section 18 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42
U.S.C. 1769) is amended by inserting before subsection (b) the
following:
``(a) Free Meals for Low-income College Students.--
``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
``(A) Community college.--The term `community
college' means--
``(i) a public institution of higher
education at which the highest degree that is
predominantly awarded to students is an
associate degree, including Tribal Colleges or
Universities receiving grants under section 316
of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1059c) that offer a 2-year program for
completion of such degree and State public
institutions of higher education that offer
such a 2-year program; and
``(ii) a public postsecondary vocational
institution (as defined in section 102(c) of
the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1002(c))).
``(B) Eligible entity.--
``(i) In general.--The term `eligible
entity' means--
``(I) an eligible institution of
higher education that has an on-campus
meal program;
``(II) an institutionally operated
food service, contracted prepared-meal
provider, mobile meal distribution,
food hub, food pantry, food hall, or
community-based meal partnership, as
determined by the Secretary; or
``(III) a consortium of eligible
institutions of higher education, of
which at least 1 eligible institution
of higher education--
``(aa) has an on-campus
meal program; and
``(bb) is geographically
accessible to the students of
each eligible institution of
higher education in the
consortium that does not have
an on-campus meal program.
``(ii) Geographic accessibility.--For
purposes of clause (i)(III)(bb), geographic
accessibility shall be based on the location
of, the availability of public transit to, and
the meal service hours of each eligible
institution of higher education within the
consortium.
``(C) Eligible institution of higher education.--
The term `eligible institution of higher education'
means an institution of higher education (as defined in
sections 101 and 102(a)(1)(B) of the Higher Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001, 1002(a)(1)(B))), including
a minority-serving institution, in which at least 20
percent of the undergraduate students enrolled are
eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant under subpart
1 of part A of title IV of that Act (20 U.S.C. 1070a et
seq.).
``(D) Historically black college or university.--
The term `historically Black college or university' has
the meaning given the term `part B institution' in
section 322 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1061).
``(E) Minority-serving institution.--The term
`minority-serving institution' means an institution
described in paragraphs (1) through (7) of section
371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1067q(a)).
``(F) On-campus meal program.--The term `on-campus
meal program' means a meal program on the campus of an
eligible institution of higher education that is
provided through an institutionally owned or operated
food service or 1 or more third-party food service
vendors.
``(G) Program.--The term `program' means the
program established under paragraph (2)(A).
``(H) Tribal college or university.--The term
`Tribal college or university' means a Tribal College
or University (as defined in section 316(b) of the
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c(b)) that
is chartered by the governing body of the applicable
Indian Tribe or by the Federal Government.
``(2) Establishment.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary, acting through
the Administrator of the Food and Nutrition Service,
shall establish a program under which the Secretary
shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible
institutions of higher education to provide free meals,
including snacks, to low-income students.
``(B) Duration of grant.--The duration of a grant
awarded under the program shall not exceed 2 years.
``(3) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant under
the program, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary
an application at such time, in such manner, and containing
such information as the Secretary may require, including--
``(A) a plan for identifying and conducting
outreach to low-income students; and
``(B) an assurance that the eligible entity will--
``(i) conduct outreach to students with
respect to the program, encourage student
participation in the program, and inform
students of--
``(I) their potential eligibility
for participation in other Federal,
State, and local benefit and support
programs, including means-tested
Federal benefits programs, such as the
supplemental nutrition assistance
program established under the Food and
Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et
seq.); and
``(II) the processes for obtaining
more information, confirming
eligibility, and accessing benefits
under those programs;
``(ii) evaluate institutional policies
relating to the purchase of meal plans under
on-campus meal programs and whether those
policies create barriers to enrollment and
persistence for low-income students;
``(iii) identify ways to mitigate any
barriers under institutional policies that are
found, through the evaluation described in
clause (ii), to create barriers described in
that clause; and
``(iv) in the case of an eligible entity
that is a consortium of eligible institutions
of higher education that includes 1 or more
eligible institutions of higher education that
do not have an on-campus meal program, provide
an explanation with respect to how the eligible
entity will ensure that low-income students
attending those institutions of higher
education that do not have an on-campus meal
program will be notified of available free
meals provided under the program and available
transportation options to be able to easily
access those free meals.
``(4) Award administration.--
``(A) In general.--In awarding grants under the
program, the Secretary shall ensure that the eligible
entities receiving grants reflect--
``(i) varying student body size;
``(ii) part-time and full-time student
enrollment;
``(iii) diverse geographic locations and
regional costs of living, including urban,
rural, or suburban campuses; and
``(iv) diverse residential character,
including race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic
status.
``(B) Priority.--In awarding grants under the
program, the Secretary may give priority to eligible
entities--
``(i) with prepared food infrastructure or
that can identify an outside source of support
to develop that infrastructure;
``(ii) that are community colleges,
historically Black colleges and universities,
Tribal colleges and universities, Hispanic-
serving institutions (as defined in section
502(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1101a(a))), or other minority-serving
institutions or consortia of minority-serving
institutions; or
``(iii) that are located within proximity
of a school that elects to receive special
assistance payments under section 11(a)(1)(F).
``(5) Use of funds.--
``(A) In general.--An eligible entity that receives
a grant under the program shall use the grant--
``(i) to establish a program to provide
free meals, including snacks, to low-income
students, subject to the condition that the
eligible entity shall provide not fewer than 1
and not more than 10 free meals per week per
student;
``(ii) to conduct outreach to students to
encourage participation in the program;
``(iii) to prepare meals to be provided for
free under the program;
``(iv) to purchase meals from vendors to be
provided for free under the program;
``(v) to provide information to students
regarding potential eligibility for assistance
under Federal, State, and local benefit and
support programs and the processes for
obtaining more information, as described in
paragraph (3)(B)(i);
``(vi) to conduct evaluations of
institutional policies described in paragraph
(3)(B)(ii);
``(vii) to identify ways to mitigate
barriers described in paragraph (3)(B)(iii);
and
``(viii) to provide an explanation
described in paragraph (3)(B)(iv).
``(B) Priority.--In selecting low-income students
to participate in the program established by the
eligible entity under subparagraph (A)(i), an eligible
entity shall give priority to low-income students who--
``(i) receive a Federal Pell Grant under
subpart 1 of part A of title IV of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a et
seq.);
``(ii) indicate that they are experiencing
or at risk of experiencing food insecurity,
housing insecurity, homelessness, or other
insecurity with respect to basic needs; or
``(iii) participate in a State or federally
financed work-study program during the regular
school year, as determined by the eligible
institution of higher education.
``(C) Limitation on purchase of equipment.--An
eligible entity that receives a grant under the program
may use not more than 20 percent of the grant to
purchase equipment.
``(D) Eligibility for snap.--Receipt of a meal
under the program shall not be considered for the
purposes of determining eligibility for the
supplemental nutrition assistance program established
under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011
et seq.).
``(6) Requirement.--Meals served by an eligible entity
using a grant under the program shall meet the nutritional
requirements developed under paragraph (9)(C).
``(7) Report.--Each eligible entity that receives a grant
under the program shall, not later than 1 year after the end of
the grant term, submit to the Secretary a report containing--
``(A) a description of the prevalence of food
insecurity among students enrolled in the eligible
entity;
``(B) an evaluation of the use of the grant funds
by the eligible entity, including--
``(i) in addressing challenges with food
insecurity; and
``(ii) with respect to the degree
completion rates of students served by the
eligible entity; and
``(C) information on the population of students
served by the grant funds, disaggregated by--
``(i) part-time or full-time status;
``(ii) eligibility to receive the Federal
Pell Grant under subpart 1 of part A of title
IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1070a et seq.);
``(iii) estimates of eligibility to receive
benefits under the supplemental nutrition
assistance program established under the Food
and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et
seq.); and
``(iv) dependency status.
``(8) Duties of the secretary.--
``(A) Consultation.--In carrying out the program,
the Secretary shall consult with eligible entities and
State social service agencies.
``(B) Technical assistance.--
``(i) In general.--Not later than 120 days
after the date of enactment of the Food for
Thought Act of 2026, the Secretary, acting
through the Administrator of the Food and
Nutrition Service, and the Secretary of
Education shall enter into a memorandum of
understanding that--
``(I) authorizes the regular
sharing of Department of Education data
and resources to assist with
identifying eligible institutions of
higher education and low-income
students;
``(II) contains a plan to assist
State social services agencies and
State higher education agencies in
improving outreach to students eligible
to enroll in the supplemental nutrition
assistance program established under
the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7
U.S.C. 2011 et seq.); and
``(III) requires the development of
an annual plan for the Administrator of
the Food and Nutrition Service and the
Secretary of Education to provide
technical assistance, as applicable, to
eligible entities--
``(aa) to develop prepared-
meal infrastructure;
``(bb) to carry out the
activities described in
paragraph (5)(A), including
training the employees of the
eligible entity to carry out
those activities; and
``(cc) to develop outreach
to students who are likely to
be eligible for benefits under
the supplemental nutrition
assistance program established
under the Food and Nutrition
Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et
seq.).
``(ii) Data privacy.--Data sharing pursuant
to the memorandum of understanding under clause
(i) shall--
``(I) comply with all applicable
Federal privacy protections, including
section 444 of the General Education
Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1232g)
(commonly known as the `Family
Educational Rights and Privacy Act of
1974'); and
``(II) be used only for the purpose
of assisting eligible institutions of
higher education in conducting outreach
to low-income students.
``(C) Nutritional requirements.--Not later than 120
days after the date of enactment of the Food for
Thought Act of 2026, the Secretary shall develop
nutritional requirements for meals served pursuant to
grants under the program that are consistent with the
goals of the most recent Dietary Guidelines for
Americans published under section 301 of the National
Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research Act of 1990
(7 U.S.C. 5341).
``(D) Report.--
``(i) In general.--The Secretary shall
submit to Congress--
``(I) not later than 2 years after
the date of enactment of the Food for
Thought Act of 2026, a report
evaluating the program, including--
``(aa) how the program
addressed food insecurity; and
``(bb) recommendations with
respect to expanding the
program; and
``(II) not later than 4 years after
the date of enactment of the Food for
Thought Act of 2026, a report on the
effect of the program on retention and
completion rates for low-income
students served by the program.
``(ii) Disaggregation.--Information
contained in the reports submitted under clause
(i) shall be disaggregated, where possible,
by--
``(I) sectors and types of
institutions of higher education,
including whether an institution of
higher education is a minority-serving
institution;
``(II) the number of eligible
students who--
``(aa) are part-time, half-
time, or full-time;
``(bb) are eligible to
receive the Federal Pell Grant
under subpart 1 of part A of
title IV of that Act (20 U.S.C.
1070a et seq.);
``(cc) are eligible to
receive benefits under the
supplemental nutrition
assistance program established
under the Food and Nutrition
Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et
seq.);
``(dd) have indicated that
the student or a member of the
family of the student
previously received benefits
under--
``(AA) the program
described in item (cc);
or
``(BB) the
temporary assistance
for needy families
program established
under part A of title
IV of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C.
601 et seq.);
``(ee)(AA) reside in an
institution or boarding house;
or
``(BB) live with other
individuals and pay
compensation to those
individuals for meals; and
``(ff) are first-generation
college students; and
``(III) whether an institution of
higher education has an open admissions
policy.
``(9) Authorization of appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection such
sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2027 through
2032.''.
SEC. 3. AMENDMENT TO THE HIGHER EDUCATION ACT OF 1965.
Section 480(i) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1087vv(i)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(6) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), benefits received
under subsection (a) of section 18 of the Richard B. Russell
National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1769) shall not be treated
as other financial assistance for purposes of section
471(3).''.
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