Child Nutrition Reauthorization (CNR)

To ensure every child has access to the meals they need to grow, learn, and thrive during our nation’s recovery and beyond, our lawmakers must pass Child Nutrition Reauthorization legislation that strengthens the Child Nutrition Programs. 

What is Child Nutrition Reauthorization? 

CNR is the process Congress uses to fund and structure child nutrition programs. These programs include school meals, summer and afterschool meals, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Child nutrition programs improve the health, nutrition, and well-being of millions of children across the country.   

CNR occurs every five years. However, Congress has not passed CNR legislation since the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act in 2010. Without CNR, child nutrition programs generally can’t significantly expand or improve.  

Through Child Nutrition Reauthorization, Congress can: 

• Improve program access 

• Support participation by underserved children 

• Ensure nutrition quality 

• Simplify program administration and operation  

How Child Nutrition Reauthorization can address child hunger

With coronavirus infections on the rise, students are uncertain of what this school year holds. Food banks, school districts, and community programs feed kids during school closures and remote learning. But they need flexibility during these unpredictable times.

CNR can address child hunger by: 

1. Strengthening free meal sites to ensure kids are fed year-round and more community providers can offer free meals. 

2. Allowing alternate strategies to help feed children when schools are closed, including allowing children to eat meals away from free meals sites and providing a Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (Summer EBT) grocery card to families with eligible children.  

3. Strengthening access to and quality of school meal programs and increasing participation of eligible families in WIC.

How You Can Help 

• Tell your lawmakers: Passing CNR helps fewer kids have empty tummies. We can end child hunger in the upcoming Child Nutrition Reauthorization process.