Summer Food Supplemental/Child Nutrition Reauthorization

WHEREAS, more than 12 million children in the United States live in "food insecure" homes, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), an estimated 11.8 percent of American households were food insecure at least some time during the year in 2017; and

WHEREAS, heads of households that included children receiving free or reduced-price lunch were more likely to be female, black, unmarried, and unemployed than other households, and

WHEREAS, food insecurity – even marginal food insecurity – is linked to some of the most common and costly health problems in the U.S., causing an estimated $160 billion in direct and indirect health-related costs; and

WHEREAS, food insecurity is especially devastating for children, affecting their overall development and having a lasting impact on their cognitive performance. Adults who experienced food insecurity as children have lower levels of educational and technical skills; and

WHEREAS, participation in the federal child nutrition programs-the school Breakfast and Lunch Programs, the Summer Food Service Program, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women Infants and Children-help reduce food insecurity and support better health; and

WHEREAS, the meals served through the federal child nutrition programs must meet federal nutrition standards and are linked to a healthy diet and healthy weight; and

WHEREAS, in addition, these programs are linked to positive outcomes for children. For example, the School Breakfast Program is linked to improved academic achievement and better test scores and attendance. The Summer Food Service Program and the Child and Adult Care Food Program in addition to providing nutritious meals help draw children into educational and enrichment programming, keeping them safe and learning when they are not at school; and

WHEREAS, Congress has begun to work on reauthorizing the child nutrition programs, which creates the opportunity to increase the reach of the nutritious meals at school, during the summer, after school, and at quality child care.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the NAACP will work to fully fund child nutrition reauthorization and work with their Congressional delegation to increase access to the critical federal child nutrition programs-the School Breakfast and Lunch Programs, the Summer Food Service Program, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), which all play a pivotal role in the growth and development of millions of our children.