IIB
111th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5012
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
December 9, 2010
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
AN ACT
To amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to establish a weekend and holiday feeding program to provide nutritious food to at-risk school children on weekends and during extended school holidays during the school year.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the
Weekends Without Hunger
Act
.
Weekends and holidays without hunger
Section 18 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1769) is amended by adding at the end the following:
Weekends and holidays without hunger
Definitions
In this subsection:
At-risk school child
The term at-risk school child has the meaning given the term in section 17(r)(1).
Eligible institution
In general
The term eligible institution means a public or private nonprofit institution that is determined by the Secretary to be able to meet safe food storage, handling, and delivery standards established by the Secretary.
Inclusions
The term eligible institution includes—
an elementary or secondary school or school food service authority;
a food bank or food pantry;
a homeless shelter; and
such other type of emergency feeding agency as is approved by the Secretary.
Establishment
Subject to the availability of appropriations provided in advance in an appropriations Act specifically for the purpose of carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall establish a program under which the Secretary shall provide commodities, on a competitive basis, to eligible institutions to provide nutritious food to at-risk children on weekends and during extended school holidays during the school year.
Eligibility
In general
To be eligible to receive commodities under this subsection, an eligible institution shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may determine.
Plan
An application under subparagraph (A) shall include the plan of the eligible institution for the distribution of nutritious foods to at-risk school children, including—
methods of food service delivery to at-risk school children;
assurances that children receiving foods under the project will not be publicly separated or overtly identified;
lists of the types of food to be provided under the project and provisions to ensure food quality and safety;
information on the number of at-risk school children to be served and the per-child cost of providing the children with food; and
such other information as the Secretary determines to be necessary to assist the Secretary in evaluating projects that receive commodities under this subsection.
Priority
In selecting applications under this subsection, the Secretary shall give priority to eligible institutions that—
have on-going programs and experience serving populations with significant proportions of at-risk school children;
have a good record of experience in food delivery and food safety systems;
maintain high quality control, accountability, and recordkeeping standards;
provide children with readily consumable food of high nutrient content and quality;
demonstrate cost efficiencies and the potential for obtaining supplemental funding from non-Federal sources to carry out projects; and
demonstrate the ability to continue projects for the full approved term of the pilot project period.
Guidelines
In general
The Secretary shall issue guidelines containing the criteria for projects to receive commodities under this section.
Inclusions
The guidelines shall, to the maximum extent practicable within the funds available and applications submitted, take into account—
geographical variations in project locations to include qualifying projects in rural, urban, and suburban areas with high proportions of families with at-risk school children;
different types of projects that offer nutritious foods on weekends and during school holidays to at-risk school children; and
institutional capacity to collect, maintain, and provide statistically valid information necessary for the Secretary—
to analyze and evaluate the results of the pilot project; and
to make recommendations to Congress.
Evaluation
Interim evaluation
Not later than November 30, 2013, the Secretary shall complete an interim evaluation of the pilot program carried out under this subsection.
Final report
Not later than December 31, 2015, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a final report that contains—
an evaluation of the pilot program carried out under this subsection; and
any recommendations of the Secretary for legislative action.
Funding
Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as are necessary, to remain available until expended.
Availability of funds
Not more than 3 percent of the funds made available under subparagraph (A) may be used by the Secretary for expenses associated with review of the operations and evaluation of the projects carried out under this subsection.
.
Passed the House of Representatives December 8, 2010.
Lorraine C. Miller,
Clerk.