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H.R. 8728
U.S. House•In House Committee
Summary
H.R. 8728, the Feed Our Kids Act of 2026, was introduced in the House on May 11, 2026 by Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D) with 3 co-sponsors. It was referred to Education and Workforce, and last saw action on May 11, 2026: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Record
Text
H.R. 8728 has 3 co-sponsors.
hb8728/introduced-in-house.txt119 HR 8728 IH: Feed Our Kids Act of 2026U.S. House of Representatives2026-05-11text/xmlENPursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.I 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 8728 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 11, 2026 Mr. Gottheimer (for himself, Mr. Soto , and Ms. Pettersen ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce A BILLTo amend the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 and the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to make breakfasts and lunches free for all children, and for other purposes.1.Short title; table of contents(a)Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Feed Our Kids Act of 2026 .(b)Table of contentsThe table of contents for this Act is as follows:Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.Sec. 2. Effective date.TITLE I—School Breakfast ProgramSec. 101. Free school breakfast program.TITLE II—School Lunch ProgramSec. 201. Apportionment to States.Sec. 202. Nutritional and other program requirements.Sec. 203. Special assistance program.Sec. 204. Price for a paid lunch.Sec. 205. Summer food service program for children.Sec. 206. Child and adult care food program.Sec. 207. Meals and supplements for children in afterschool care.Sec. 208. Pilot projects.Sec. 209. Fresh fruit and vegetable program.Sec. 210. Training, technical assistance, and Food Service Management Institute.Sec. 211. Reimbursement of school meal delinquent debt program.Sec. 212. Conforming amendments.TITLE III—ReportSec. 301. Report on free school meal programs.2.Effective dateUnless otherwise provided, this Act, and the amendments made by this Act, shall take effect 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.ISchool Breakfast Program101.Free school breakfast program(a)In generalSection 4(a) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1773(a) ) is amended, in the first sentence—(1)by striking is hereby and inserting are ; and(2)by inserting to provide free breakfast to all children enrolled at those schools before in accordance .(b)Apportionment to StatesSection 4(b) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1773(b) ) is amended—(1)in paragraph (1)—(A)in subparagraph (A)(i), by striking subclause (II) and inserting the following:(II)the national average payment for free breakfasts, as specified in subparagraph (B).;(B)by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following:(B)Payment amounts(i)In generalThe national average payment for each free breakfast shall be $2.80, adjusted annually for inflation in accordance with clause (ii) and rounded in accordance with clause (iii).(ii)Inflation adjustment(I)In generalThe annual inflation adjustment under clause (i) shall reflect changes in the cost of operating the free breakfast program under this section, as indicated by the change in the Consumer Price Index for food away from home for all urban consumers.(II)BasisEach inflation annual adjustment under clause (i) shall reflect the changes in the Consumer Price Index for food away from home for the most recent 12-month period for which that data is available.(iii)RoundingOn July 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, the national average payment rate for free breakfast shall be—(I)adjusted to the nearest lower-cent increment; and(II)based on the unrounded amounts for the preceding 12-month period.;(C)by striking subparagraphs (C) and (E); and(D)by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (C);(2)by striking paragraphs (2) and (3);(3)by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively; and(4)in paragraph (3) (as so redesignated), by striking paragraph (3) or (4) and inserting paragraph (2) .(c)State disbursement to schoolsSection 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1773 ) is amended by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:(c)State disbursement to schoolsFunds apportioned and paid to any State for the purpose of this section shall be disbursed by the State educational agency to schools selected by the State educational agency to assist those schools in operating a breakfast program..(d)No collection of debt(1)In generalNotwithstanding any other provision of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq. ) or any other provision of law, effective beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, as a condition of participation in the breakfast program under section 4 of that Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1773 ), a school—(A)shall not collect any debt owed to the school for unpaid meal charges; and(B)shall continue to accrue debt for unpaid meal charges—(i)for the purpose of receiving reimbursement under section 211; and(ii)until the effective date specified in section 2.(2)Child Nutrition Act of 1966(A)In generalSection 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1773 ) is amended by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following:(d)No collection of debtA school participating in the free breakfast program under this section shall not collect any debt owed to the school for unpaid meal charges..(B)Conforming amendmentSection 23(a) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1793(a) ) is amended by striking school in severe need, as described in section 4(d)(1) and inserting the following:school—(1)that has a free breakfast program under section 4 or seeks to initiate a free breakfast program under that section; and(2)of which not less than 40 percent of the students are economically disadvantaged students (as identified under a measure described in section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 6313(a)(5) )).(e)Nutritional and other program requirementsSection 4(e) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1773(e) ) is amended—(1)in paragraph (1)(A), in the second sentence, by striking free or and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting free to all children enrolled at a school participating in the school breakfast program. ; and(2)in paragraph (2), in the second sentence, by striking the full charge to the student for a breakfast meeting the requirements of this section or .(f)Prohibition on breakfast shaming, meal denial(1)In generalEffective beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, a school or school food authority—(A)shall not—(i)physically segregate for the purpose of debt shaming or otherwise discriminate against any child participating in the breakfast program under section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1773 ); or(ii)overtly identify a child described in clause (i) by a special token or ticket, an announced or published list of names, or any other means; and(B)shall provide the program meal to any child eligible under the program.(2)Child Nutrition Act of 1966Section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1773 ) is amended by adding at the end the following:(f)Prohibition on breakfast shamingA school or school food authority shall not—(1)physically segregate for the purpose of debt shaming or otherwise discriminate against any child participating in the free breakfast program under this section; or(2)overtly identify a child described in paragraph (1) by a special token or ticket, an announced or published list of names, or any other means..(g)Department of Defense Overseas Dependents' SchoolsSection 20(b) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1789(b) ) is amended by striking by this section and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting by this section. .(h)Conforming amendmentsThe Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq. ) is amended—(1)by striking or reduced price each place it appears;(2)by striking and reduced price each place it appears; and(3)by striking a reduced price each place it appears.IISchool Lunch Program201.Apportionment to StatesSection 4(b) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1753(b) ) is amended—(1)by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:(2)Payment amounts(A)In generalThe national average payment for each free lunch shall be $4.63, adjusted annually for inflation in accordance with subparagraph (C) and rounded in accordance with subparagraph (D).(B)Additional payment for local food(i)Definition of locally-sourced farm productIn this subparagraph, the term locally-sourced farm product means a farm product that—(I)is marketed to consumers—(aa)directly; or(bb)through intermediated channels (such as food hubs and cooperatives); and(II)with respect to the school food authority purchasing the farm product, is produced and distributed—(aa)in the State in which the school food authority is located; or(bb)not more than 250 miles from the location of the school food authority.(ii)Additional payment eligibilityDuring a school year, a school food authority shall receive an additional payment described in clause (iii) if the State certifies that the school food authority served meals (including breakfasts, lunches, suppers, and supplements) during the last school year of which not less than 25 percent were made with locally sourced farm products.(iii)Payment amount(I)In generalThe additional payment amount under this subparagraph shall be—(aa)$0.30 for each free lunch and supper;(bb)$0.21 for each free breakfast; and(cc)$0.08 for each free supplement.(II)AdjustmentsEach additional payment amount under subclause (I) shall be adjusted annually in accordance with subparagraph (C) and rounded in accordance with subparagraph (D).(iv)DisbursementThe State agency shall disburse funds made available under this clause to school food authorities eligible to receive additional reimbursement.(C)Inflation adjustment(i)In generalThe annual inflation adjustment under subparagraphs (A) and (B)(iii) shall reflect changes in the cost of operating the free lunch program under this Act, as indicated by the change in the Consumer Price Index for food away from home for all urban consumers.(ii)BasisEach annual inflation adjustment under subparagraphs (A) and (B)(iii) shall reflect the changes in the Consumer Price Index for food away from home for the most recent 12-month period for which that data is available.(D)RoundingOn July 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, the national average payment rate for free lunch and the additional payment amount for free breakfast, lunch, supper, and supplement under subparagraph (B) shall be—(i)adjusted to the nearest lower-cent increment; and(ii)based on the unrounded amounts for the preceding 12-month period.; and(2)by striking paragraph (3).202.Nutritional and other program requirements(a)Elimination of free lunch eligibility requirements(1)In generalSection 9 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1758 ) is amended by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:(b)EligibilityAll children enrolled in a school that participates in the school lunch program under this Act shall be eligible to receive free lunch under this Act..(2)Conforming amendments(A)Section 9 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1758 ) is amended—(i)in subsection (c), in the third sentence, by striking or at a reduced cost ; and(ii)in subsection (e), by striking , reduced price, .(B)Section 28 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1769i ) is amended—(i)by striking subsection (b); and(ii)by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (b).(C)Section 17(d)(2)(A) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1786(d)(2)(A) ) is amended—(i)by striking clause (i); and(ii)by redesignating clauses (ii) and (iii) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively.(D)Section 1902(a) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396a(a) ) is amended by striking paragraph (7) and inserting the following:(7)provide safeguards which restrict the use or disclosure of information concerning applicants and recipients to purposes directly connected with the administration of the plan;.(E)Section 1154(a)(2)(A)(i) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking in accordance with section 9(b)(1) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1758(b)(1) ) .(F)Section 4301 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 ( 42 U.S.C. 1758a ) is repealed.(b)No collection of debt(1)In generalNotwithstanding any other provision of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq. ) or any other provision of law, effective beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, as a condition of participation in the school lunch program under that Act, a school—(A)shall not collect any debt owed to the school for unpaid meal charges; and(B)shall continue to accrue debt for unpaid meal charges—(i)for the purpose of receiving reimbursement under section 211; and(ii)until the effective date specified in section 2.(2)National School Lunch ActSection 9 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1758 ) is amended by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following:(d)No collection of debtA school participating in the school lunch program under this Act shall not collect any debt owed to the school for unpaid meal charges..(c)Prohibition on lunch shamingSection 9 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1758 ) is amended by adding at the end the following:(m)Prohibition on lunch shamingA school participating in the school lunch program under this Act shall not—(1)physically segregate for the purpose of debt shaming or otherwise discriminate against any child participating in the school lunch program under this Act; or(2)overtly identify a child described in paragraph (1) by a special token or ticket, an announced or published list of names, or any other means..203.Special assistance program(a)In generalSection 11 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1759a ) is repealed.(b)Conforming amendments(1)Section 6 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1755 ) is amended—(A)in subsection (a)(2), by striking sections 11 and 13 and inserting section 13 ; and(B)in subsection (e)(1), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking section 4, this section, and section 11 and inserting this section and section 4 .(2)Section 7(d) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1756(d) ) is amended by striking or 11 .(3)Section 8(g) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1757(g) ) is amended by striking and under section 11 of this Act .(4)Section 12(f) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1760(f) ) is amended by striking 11, .(5)Section 7(a) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1766(a) ) is amended—(A)in paragraph (1)(A), by striking 4, 11, and 17 and inserting 4 and 17 ; and(B)in paragraph (2)(A), by striking sections 4 and 11 and inserting section 4 .(6)Section 1101(j)(3) of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act ( 7 U.S.C. 2011 note; Public Law 116–127 ) is amended—(A)by striking or served under section 11(a)(1) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1760(d) , 1759(a)(1)) and inserting of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1760(d) ) ; and(B)by striking or reduced price .204.Price for a paid lunchSection 12 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1760 ) is amended—(1)in subsection (l)(4)—(A)by striking subparagraph (D); and(B)by redesignating subparagraphs (E) through (M) as subparagraphs (D) through (L), respectively;(2)by striking subsection (p); and(3)by redesignating subsections (q) and (r) as subsections (p) and (q), respectively.205.Summer food service program for childrenSection 13 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1761 ) is amended—(1)in subsection (a)—(A)in paragraph (1)(A)(i)—(i)in subclause (I), by striking have been determined eligible for free or reduced price school meals under this Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq. ) and inserting are economically disadvantaged students (as identified under a measure described in section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 6313(a)(5) )) ;(ii)in subclause (II), by striking are eligible for free or reduced price school meals under this Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq. ) and inserting are economically disadvantaged students (as identified under a measure described in section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 6313(a)(5) )) ;(iii)in subclause (III)(bb), by striking meet the income standards for free or reduced price school meals under this Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq. ) and inserting are economically disadvantaged students (as identified under a measure described in section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 6313(a)(5) )) ;(iv)in subclause (IV), by striking are eligible for free or reduced price school meals under this Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq. ) and inserting are economically disadvantaged students (as identified under a measure described in section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 6313(a)(5) )) ; and(v)in subclause (V), by striking are eligible for free or reduced price school meals under this Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq. ) and inserting are economically disadvantaged students (as identified under a measure described in section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 6313(a)(5) )) ;(B)in paragraph (2), by adding at the end the following:(C)WaiverIf the Secretary determines that a program requirement under this section limits the access of children to meals served under this section, the Secretary may waive that program requirement.(D)EligibilityAll children shall be eligible to participate in the program under this section.;(C)in paragraph (5), by striking only for and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting for meals served to all children. ; and(D)in paragraph (13)—(i)in subparagraph (C)(ii), by striking eligible for a free or reduced price lunch under this Act or a free or reduced price breakfast under section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1773 ) and inserting an economically disadvantaged student (as identified under a measure described in section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 6313(a)(5) )) ; and(ii)in subparagraph (D)(ii), by striking eligible for free or reduced price lunch under this Act or free or reduced price breakfast under section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1773 ) and inserting economically disadvantaged students (as identified under a measure described in section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 6313(a)(5) )) ;(2)in subsection (b)(2), by striking may only serve and all that follows through migrant children ;(3)by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:(c)Payments(1)In generalPayments shall be made to service institutions for meals served—(A)during the months of May through September;(B)during school vacation at any time during an academic school year;(C)during a teacher in-service day; and(D)on days that school is closed due to a natural disaster, building repair, court order, or similar cause, as determined by the Secretary.(2)Limitation on paymentsA service institution shall receive payments under this section for not more than 3 meals and 1 supplement per child per day.; and(4)in subsection (f)(3), by striking , except that and all that follows through section .206.Child and adult care food programSection 17 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1766 ) is amended—(1)in subsection (a)(2), by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following:(B)any other private organization providing nonresidential child care or day care outside school hours for school children;;(2)by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:(c)Free mealsNotwithstanding any other provision of law—(1)all meals and supplements served under the program authorized under this section shall be provided for free to participants of the program; and(2)an institution that serves those meals and supplements shall be reimbursed—(A)in the case of breakfast, at the rate established for free breakfast under section 4(b)(1)(B)(i) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1773(b)(1)(B)(i) );(B)in the case of lunch, at the rate established for free lunch under section 4(b)(2)(A); and(C)in the case of a supplemental meal, $1.20, adjusted for inflation in accordance with section 4(b)(2)(C).;(3)in subsection (f)—(A)in paragraph (2), by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following:(B)Limitation to reimbursementsAn institution may claim reimbursement under this paragraph for not more than 3 meals and 1 supplement per day per child.;(B)by striking paragraph (3); and(C)by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (3);(4)in subsection (o)—(A)by striking paragraph (4); and(B)by redesignating paragraphs (5) and (6) as paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively; and(5)in subsection (r)—(A)in the subsection heading, by strikingProgram for at-risk school children and insertingAfterschool meal and snack program ;(B)by striking at-risk school each place it appears and inserting eligible ;(C)in paragraph (1)—(i)in the paragraph heading, by strikingat-risk school and insertingeligible ; and(ii)in subparagraph (B), by striking operated and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting a period; and(D)in paragraph (4)(A), by striking only for and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting the following:for—(i)not more than 1 meal and 1 supplement per child per day served on a regular school day; and(ii)not more than 3 meals and 1 supplement per child per day served on any day other than a regular school day..207.Meals and supplements for children in afterschool care(a)In generalSection 17A of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1766a ) is amended—(1)in the section heading, by strikingMeal supplements and insertingMeals and supplements ;(2)in subsection (a)(1), by striking meal supplements and inserting free meals and supplements ;(3)in subsection (b), by inserting meals and before supplements ;(4)by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:(c)Reimbursement(1)In general(A)MealsA free meal provided under this section to a child shall be reimbursed at a rate of $4.63, adjusted annually for inflation in accordance with paragraph (3)(A) and rounded in accordance with paragraph (3)(B).(B)SupplementsA free supplement provided under this section to a child shall be reimbursed at the rate at which free supplements are reimbursed under section 17(c)(2)(C).(2)Limitation to reimbursementsAn institution may claim reimbursement under this section for not more than 1 meal and 1 supplement per day per child served on a regular school day.(3)Inflation; rounding(A)Inflation adjustment(i)In generalThe annual inflation adjustment under paragraph (1)(A) shall reflect changes in the cost of operating the program under this section, as indicated by the change in the Consumer Price Index for food away from home for all urban consumers.(ii)BasisEach inflation annual adjustment under paragraph (1)(A) shall reflect the changes in the Consumer Price Index for food away from home for the most recent 12-month period for which that data is available.(B)RoundingOn July 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, the reimbursement rate for a free meal under this section shall be—(i)adjusted to the nearest lower-cent increment; and(ii)based on the unrounded amounts for the preceding 12-month period.; and(5)by adding at the end the following:(e)Prohibition on meal shamingA school participating in the program under this section shall not—(1)physically segregate for the purpose of debt shaming or otherwise discriminate against any child participating in the program under this section; or(2)overtly identify a child described in paragraph (1) by a special token or ticket, an announced or published list of names, or any other means..(b)No collection of debt(1)In generalNotwithstanding any other provision of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq. ) or any other provision of law, effective beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, as a condition of participation in the program under section 17A of that Act, a school—(A)shall not collect any debt owed to the school for unpaid meal supplement charges; and(B)shall continue to accrue debt for unpaid meal supplement charges—(i)for the purpose of receiving reimbursement under section 211; and(ii)until the effective date specified in section 2.(2)National School Lunch ActSection 17A of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1766a ) is amended by adding at the end the following:(f)No collection of debtA school participating in the program under this section shall not collect any debt owed to the school for unpaid meal or meal supplement charges..208.Pilot projectsSection 18 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1769 ) is amended—(1)in subsection (g)(5), by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following:(B)serve a high proportion of economically disadvantaged students (as identified under a measure described in section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 6313(a)(5) ));;(2)in subsection (h)(1)(A)(ii), by striking eligible for free or reduced price meals under this Act and inserting economically disadvantaged students (as identified under a measure described in section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 6313(a)(5) )) ;(3)by striking subsection (j); and(4)by redesignating subsection (k) as subsection (j).209.Fresh fruit and vegetable programSection 19(d) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1769a(d) ) is amended—(1)in paragraph (1)—(A)in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking paragraph (2) of this subsection and ;(B)in subparagraph (A), in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking school— and all that follows through submits in clause (ii) and inserting school that submits ;(C)in subparagraph (B), by striking schools and all that follows through Act and inserting high-need schools (as defined in section 2211(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 6631(b) )) ; and(D)in subparagraph (D)—(i)by striking clause (i); and(ii)by redesignating clauses (ii) through (iv) as clauses (i) through (iii), respectively; and(2)by striking paragraphs (2) and (3) and inserting the following:(2)Outreach to high-need schoolsPrior to making decisions regarding school participation in the program, a State agency shall inform high-need schools (as defined in section 2211(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 6631(b) )), including Tribal schools, of the eligibility of the schools for the program..210.Training, technical assistance, and Food Service Management InstituteSection 21(a)(1)(B) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1769b–1(a)(1)(B) ) is amended in the matter preceding clause (i) by striking certified to receive free or reduced price meals and inserting who are economically disadvantaged students (as identified under a measure described in section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 6313(a)(5) )) .211.Reimbursement of school meal delinquent debt program(a)DefinitionsIn this section:(1)Delinquent debtThe term delinquent debt means the debt owed by a parent or guardian of a child to a school—(A)as of the effective date specified in section 2; and(B)for meals or meal supplements served by the school under—(i)the school breakfast program under section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1773 );(ii)the school lunch program established under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq. ); or(iii)the program established under section 17A of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1766a ).(2)ProgramThe term program means the program established under subsection (b)(1).(3)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture.(b)Reimbursement program(1)EstablishmentNot later than 60 days after the effective date specified in section 2, the Secretary shall establish a program under which the Secretary shall reimburse each school participating in a program described in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) of subsection (a)(1)(B) for all delinquent debt.(2)Form for reimbursementTo carry out the program, the Secretary shall design and distribute a form to State agencies to collect data on all delinquent debt in applicable schools in the State, grouped by school food authority.(3)Completion dateThe Secretary shall provide all reimbursements under the program not later than 180 days after the effective date specified in section 2.(c)ReportNot later than 2 years after the effective date specified in section 2, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress and make publicly available a report that describes the successes and challenges of the program.212.Conforming amendmentsThe Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq. ) is amended—(1)by striking or reduced price each place it appears;(2)by striking or a reduced price each place it appears;(3)by striking and reduced price each place it appears; and(4)by striking a reduced price each place it appears.IIIReport301.Report on free school meal programsNot later than 1 year after the effective date of this Act, the Administrator of the Food and Nutrition Service shall submit to Congress a report on how the school lunch program under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq. ) and the school breakfast program under section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1773 ) impact students who participate in such programs, including—(1)whether the amendments made by this Act to such programs have resulted in any measurable positive academic outcomes for such students, including any increase in test scores or graduation rates;(2)whether such programs increase student access to nutritional meals and locally sourced farm products (as such term is defined in section 4(b)(2)(B) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, as amended by this Act); and(3)any recommendations for additional legislative or administrative actions to increase the use of locally sourced farm products in meals provided under such programs.
Tracker
The tracker indicates the progress of this legislation as it moves through the legislative process.
- Introduced2026-05-11
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- Conference
- To President
- Became Law
To amend the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 and the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to make breakfasts and lunches free for all children, and for other purposes.
Sponsors
Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D) sponsors H.R. 8728, and 3 members have co-sponsored it, 2 of them from the day it was introduced.
Committees
H.R. 8728 went before 1 committee: Education and Workforce.
Actions
H.R. 8728 has taken 2 actions since May 11, 2026.
| Chamber | Action | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
May 11, 2026 | House | Introduced in House | ||
May 11, 2026 | House | Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.Education and Workforce Committee |
Votes
H.R. 8728 has not gone to a roll call.
Titles
H.R. 8728 goes by 3 titles, 1 of them short titles.
- Feed Our Kids Act of 2026 — Display Title
- To amend the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 and the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to make breakfasts and lunches free for all children, and for other purposes. — Official Title as Introduced
- Feed Our Kids Act of 2026 — Short Title(s) as Introduced
Lobbying
2 clients hired 2 firms and 9 registered lobbyists who named H.R. 8728 in 2 quarterly filings, 2026. Reported under the Lobbying Disclosure Act; a filing’s income covers everything its registrant worked that quarter, so the amounts below are the filings’, not this bill’s.
Filed under Education, Budget/Appropriations, Civil Rights/Civil Liberties, Defense, Government Issues, Health Issues, Immigration, Labor Issues/Antitrust/Workplace.
Clients
Who paid to be heard, by how many filings named the bill.
| Client | Business | State | Firms | Filings | Reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION | — | District of Columbia | 1 | 1 | — |
| NATIONAL PARENTS UNION ACTION FUND INC. | Empowering, mobilizing and strengthening the voice of parents. | Massachusetts | 1 | 1 | — |
Firms
Registrants who filed on the bill, by filings.
| Registrant | Clients | Filings | Reported |
|---|---|---|---|
| NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION | 1 | 1 | — |
| NATIONAL PARENTS UNION ACTION FUND INC. | 1 | 1 | — |
Lobbyists
Named on the filings that cite the bill.
| Lobbyist | Firms | Clients | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARIEL SMITH | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| BONITA WILLIAMS | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| CHRISTIN DRISCOLL | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| DEBORAH KOOLBECK | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| JUAN RANGEL | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| KATY ROWLEY | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| KIMBERLY TRINCA | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| RONNY LAU | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| STEPHANIE SALVADOR | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Filings
The documents themselves, on the Senate’s Lobbying Disclosure site, largest reported first.
| Client | Registrant | Period | Reported | Document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION | NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION | 2026 second_quarter | $670K | 2nd Quarter - Report |
| NATIONAL PARENTS UNION ACTION FUND INC. | NATIONAL PARENTS UNION ACTION FUND INC. | 2026 second_quarter | — | 2nd Quarter - Report |
Classification
The Congressional Research Service files H.R. 8728 under Agriculture and Food, one of its 31 policy areas.
CRS Subjects
CRS assigns every bill one policy area from its 31; H.R. 8728’s is Agriculture and Food.
hr8728/policy-areas.txtConstitutional authority
The clause the sponsor cites as Congress’s power to enact H.R. 8728, as entered in the Congressional Record.
[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 79 (Monday, May 11, 2026)][House]From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]By Mr. GOTTHEIMER:H.R. 8728.Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuantto the following:Article 1, Section 8[Page H3347]
Source: congress.gov · legiscan.com