Summer Meals Act of 2021

To amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to improve the efficiency of summer meals. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Summer Meals Act of 2021 2. Summer food service program for children (a) Better integrate summer education and summer meals program Section 13(a)(1)(A)(i) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1761(a)(1)(A)(i) 50 percent 40 percent (b) Reduce red tape for public-Private partnerships Section 13(a) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1761(a) (8) Year-round meal service (A) Seamless summer option for schools Except as otherwise determined by the Secretary, a service institution that is a public or private nonprofit school food authority may provide summer or school vacation food service in accordance with applicable provisions of law governing the school lunch program established under this Act or the school breakfast program established under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1771 (B) Year-round meal service for other service institutions Each service institution (other than a service institution described in subparagraph (A)), in addition to being eligible for reimbursement for meals described in subsection (b)(2) served during each day of operation during the periods described in subsection (c)(1), may be reimbursed for up to 1 meal and 1 snack per child served during each day of operation during— (i) afterschool hours; (ii) weekends; and (iii) school holidays during the regular school calendar. . (c) Improve nutrition in underserved, hard-To-Reach areas Section 13(a) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1761(a) (1) by striking paragraphs (9) and (10) and inserting the following: (9) Improve nutrition in underserved, hard-to-reach areas (A) In general Subject to the availability of appropriations provided in advance in an appropriations Act specifically for the purpose of carrying out this paragraph, the Secretary may award competitive grants to service institutions selected by the Secretary to increase participation in the program at congregate feeding sites through— (i) innovative approaches to limited transportation; and (ii) mobile meal trucks. (B) Eligibility To be selected to receive a grant under this paragraph, a service institution— (i) may be located in any State; and (ii) shall— (I) submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require; (II) meet criteria established by the Secretary; and (III) agree to the terms and conditions of the grant, as established by the Secretary. (C) Priority In awarding grants under this paragraph, the Secretary shall give priority to service institutions that— (i) serve both breakfast and lunch; or (ii) offer educational or enrichment programs. (D) Travel reimbursement A service institution that receives a grant under subparagraph (A)(i) may use grant funds to provide reimbursement for travel to satellite congregate feeding sites. (E) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to make competitive grants under this paragraph $10,000,000 for each fiscal year. ; and (2) by redesignating paragraphs (11) and (12) as paragraphs (10) and (11), respectively. (d) Third meal Section 13(b)(2) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1761(b)(2) only serve lunch migrant children may

Summary: Summer Meals Act of 2021 This bill revises provisions related to the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) of the Department of Agriculture (USDA), which provides meals to children and teens in low-income areas during the summer months when school is not in session. The bill redefines areas in which poor economic conditions exist, where the SFSP may operate, as areas in which at least 40% (currently, 50%) of the children have been determined to be eligible for free or reduced price school meals under the school lunch and breakfast programs. The bill reimburses service institutions (other than school food authorities) for up to one meal and one snack per child each day during after-school hours, weekends, and school holidays during the regular school calendar. Currently, such institutions are reimbursed for meals and snacks served to children over the summer months or to children who are on vacation under a continuous school calendar. USDA may award competitive grants to service institutions to increase participation in the summer food service program for children at congregate feeding sites through innovative approaches to limited transportation and mobile meal trucks. Service institutions that are participating in the summer food service program for children may serve up to three meals, or two meals and one snack, during each day of operation. Currently, this option is reserved for camps and service institutions that serve meals primarily to migrant children.