news

Pleasanton, TX—Today, U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28), announced $3,671,173.73 in federal funding for the reimbursement of summer meals for children in Atascosa County. Last summer, Atascosa County students received $2,407,056.29 worth of lunches, $1,257,842.88 worth of breakfasts, and $6,274.56 worth of snacks through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) , the School Breakfast Program (SBP), and the Afterschool Care Program (ASCP).

These programs provide nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches and milk to children, as well as reimbursements for nonprofit breakfast programs and after school snacks.

“Our children need good nutrition all year long, and through these federally funded child nutrition programs, it is possible for schools and childcare institutions to provide nutritious meals even during the summer months when school is out,” said Congressman Cuellar. “The pandemic triggered an increase in hunger vulnerability among families with children. Therefore, as a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies—which assigns the budget for school lunches— I have been working tirelessly to increase funding for child nutrition programs that provide the nourishment our children require to continue growing, learning, and thriving.”

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or no-cost lunches to children each school day. The program was established under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, signed into law by President Harry Truman in 1946.

The School Breakfast Program (SBP) is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and non-profit private schools and residential child care institutions. The SBP started in 1966 as a pilot project, and was made a permanent entitlement program by Congress in 1975.

The Afterschool Snack Program is a federally assisted snack program operating in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions. School districts and independent schools that choose to take part in the snack program receive cash subsidies from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for each snack they serve. In return, they must serve snacks that meet Federal requirements, and they must offer free or reduced price snacks to eligible children.

For more information on USDA’s Child Nutrition programs, click HERE.

###