HILLSDALE, N.J. (Bergen County) — U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer announced new legislation Thursday that would provide free breakfast, lunch and afterschool snacks to all K-12 public school students nationwide.
Gottheimer unveiled the proposed “Feed Our Kids Act” at Ann Blanche Elementary School in Hillsdale alongside local officials, educators, hunger-relief advocates and community leaders.
The Democratic congressman said the legislation is intended to counter proposed federal nutrition cuts included in the House Republican-backed Farm Bill, which he said could reduce funding for school meal programs, SNAP benefits and local food assistance initiatives.
“You can’t propel a rocket without fuel. The same goes for a growing student,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “Too many children in New Jersey are still showing up to school every morning with the tank reading empty. In the greatest country in the world, it is simply unacceptable that one in seven children in our state faces food insecurity. The Feed Our Kids Act will change that — no stigma, no bureaucracy, no child left hungry.”
According to Gottheimer’s office, more than 400,000 New Jersey students received free or reduced-price school meals during the last school year, while another 110,000 eligible students were not receiving assistance.
The proposed legislation would provide free meals and afterschool snacks to all public school students, eliminate unpaid school meal debt, expand meal access during summer breaks and school closures, and encourage locally sourced food options.
The bill also calls for a congressional study examining the impacts of universal school meal programs and recommendations related to nutrition and local sourcing.
Gottheimer cited research showing students who receive regular meals perform better academically, have improved attendance and experience fewer behavioral issues.
The congressman also criticized proposed changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program included in the Farm Bill.
According to his office, New Jersey currently has more than 812,000 SNAP recipients, including more than 341,000 children.
Gottheimer said the proposed federal changes would require New Jersey to cover a larger share of SNAP costs, potentially adding up to $200 million annually in expenses to the state.
“This is all common sense. We can’t let another day go by where a Jersey kid goes to school hungry. This shouldn’t be political. There is nothing red or blue about feeding our children,” Gottheimer said. “The Senate has a real opportunity to stop this insane plan and keep our hungry children and families fed.”
Gottheimer also announced plans to send a letter to the federal administration seeking restoration of Local Food for Schools and Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement funding that supports New Jersey farms and food producers.
