Program and Funding Changes Included in Child Nutrition Reauthorization

The president signed the Healthy, Hungry-Free Kids Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-296) on December 13, 2010, reauthorizing child nutrition programs through federal fiscal year (FY) 2015.  P.L. 111-296 provides for a significant increase in funding for school lunches for schools that meet certain nutrition standards. It also provides funding for several new demonstration and performance-based programs. However, the law is paid for, in part, by reducing future benefit payments through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and replacing the nutrition education component of SNAP administrative costs with a fixed grant. It also includes a provision that prohibits state budget limitations, such as furloughs, hiring freezes, and travel restrictions from applying to state employees funded by the law.

This Issue Brief outlines the major funding and program changes included in reauthorization. Table 1 highlights new funding opportunities of interest to states.

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