Weekends Without Hunger Act

To amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to establish a weekend and holiday feeding program to provide nutritious food to at-risk school children on weekends and during extended school holidays during the school year. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Weekends Without Hunger Act 2. Weekends and holidays without hunger Section 18 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1769 (l) Weekends and holidays without hunger (1) Definitions In this subsection: (A) At-risk school child The term at-risk school child (B) Eligible institution (i) In general The term eligible institution (ii) Inclusions The term eligible institution (I) an elementary or secondary school or school food service authority; (II) a food bank or food pantry; (III) a homeless shelter; and (IV) such other type of emergency feeding agency as is approved by the Secretary. (2) Establishment Subject to the availability of appropriations provided in advance in an appropriations Act specifically for the purpose of carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall establish a program under which the Secretary shall provide commodities, on a competitive basis, to eligible institutions to provide nutritious food to at-risk children on weekends and during extended school holidays during the school year. (3) Eligibility (A) In general To be eligible to receive commodities under this subsection, an eligible institution shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may determine. (B) Plan An application under subparagraph (A) shall include the plan of the eligible institution for the distribution of nutritious foods to at-risk school children, including— (i) methods of food service delivery to at-risk school children; (ii) assurances that children receiving foods under the project will not be publicly separated or overtly identified; (iii) lists of the types of food to be provided under the project and provisions to ensure food quality and safety; (iv) information on the number of at-risk school children to be served and the per-child cost of providing the children with food; and (v) such other information as the Secretary determines to be necessary to assist the Secretary in evaluating projects that receive commodities under this subsection. (4) Priority In selecting applications under this subsection, the Secretary shall give priority to eligible institutions that— (A) have on-going programs and experience serving populations with significant proportions of at-risk school children; (B) have a good record of experience in food delivery and food safety systems; (C) maintain high quality control, accountability, and recordkeeping standards; (D) provide children with readily consumable food of high nutrient content and quality; (E) demonstrate cost efficiencies and the potential for obtaining supplemental funding from non-Federal sources to carry out projects; and (F) demonstrate the ability to continue projects for the full approved term of the pilot project period. (5) Guidelines (A) In general The Secretary shall issue guidelines containing the criteria for projects to receive commodities under this section. (B) Inclusions The guidelines shall, to the maximum extent practicable within the funds available and applications submitted, take into account— (i) geographical variations in project locations to include qualifying projects in rural, urban, and suburban areas with high proportions of families with at-risk school children; (ii) different types of projects that offer nutritious foods on weekends and during school holidays to at-risk school children; and (iii) institutional capacity to collect, maintain, and provide statistically valid information necessary for the Secretary— (I) to analyze and evaluate the results of the pilot project; and (II) to make recommendations to Congress. (6) Evaluation (A) Interim evaluation Not later than November 30, 2018, the Secretary shall complete an interim evaluation of the pilot program carried out under this subsection. (B) Final report Not later than December 31, 2020, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a final report that contains— (i) an evaluation of the pilot program carried out under this subsection; and (ii) any recommendations of the Secretary for legislative action. (7) Funding (A) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as are necessary, to remain available until expended. (B) Availability of funds Not more than 3 percent of the funds made available under subparagraph (A) may be used by the Secretary for expenses associated with review of the operations and evaluation of the projects carried out under this subsection. .

Summary: Weekends Without Hunger Act Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture, subject to the availability of appropriations, to implement a pilot program providing commodities, on a competitive basis, to nonprofits for the provision of nutritious food to at-risk school children on weekends and during extended school holidays during the school year. (At-risk school children are those who participate in the school lunch program and reside in an area served by a school in which at least 50% of the students receive free or reduced price meals under the school lunch or breakfast programs.) Includes elementary and secondary schools, school food authorities, food banks or pantries, homeless shelters, and other Secretary-approved emergency feeding agencies as eligible nonprofit recipients of such commodities. Requires commodity recipients to satisfy safe food storage, handling, and delivery standards established by the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to: (1) complete an interim evaluation of the pilot program by November 30, 2018, and (2) submit a final report to Congress by December 31, 2020, that contains an evaluation of such program and any recommendations the Secretary may have for legislative action. Authorizes appropriations for the pilot program.