Skip Navigation
Schools Students Deserve Student Engagement Resources for Families
Professional Development Resource Library
Get Involved! Tools for Justice
Our Mission, Vision, & Core Values Our Leaders Our Members Our Locals Our Staff Awards
Members-Only Content and Resources
New from AEA Press Releases AEA in the News
We use cookies to offer you a better browsing experience, provide ads, analyze site traffic, and personalize content. If you continue to use this site, you consent to our use of cookies.
NEA Issue Explainer

Child Nutrition

Students need healthy, nutritious school meals that are free to all and prepare them for learning.
School Lunch line
By: National Education Association
Published: December 2, 2021
This issue explainer originally appeared on NEA.org

School meal programs are important in fighting child hunger.

When students participate in school meals programs, their behavior, comprehension, and attendance improve.

The meals they receive at home are just as important, and that’s why the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a lifeline for families struggling with food insecurity.

Nutritious meals prepare children for learning and shape their food choices and health outcomes as adults.  

Help students get the healthy meals they need. Ask Congress to fund free school meals for all students, hands-on training and professional development for school food-service staff, and up-to-date equipment for school kitchens, and to protect and strengthen SNAP—our nation’s most effective anti-hunger program. 

Our History of Fighting for Child Nutrition

1946

School Lunch Program Esablished

President Truman signs the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, providing low-cost or free school lunch meals to qualified students through subsidies to schools.
1966

School Meals now Include Breakfast

President Johnson signs the Child Nutrition Act, building on the National School Lunch Act and creating the School Breakfast Program.
1998

Expanded the Federal Subsidies

President Clinton signs the William Goodling Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act, extending authorizations for child nutrition programs.
2004

Tackling Nutrition and Physical Activity

President George W. Bush signs the Child Nutrition and Women Infants and Children Reauthorization Act of 2004, which requires school districts with federally funded school meal programs to have policies addressing nutrition and physical activity.
2010

Making School Meals Healthier, More Available

President Obama signs the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act, which funds child nutrition programs, sets new nutrition standards for schools, and creates the Community Eligibility Provision, allowing all students in certain high-poverty schools to eat meals at no charge.

Downloads

Use Your Educator Voice.

We are THE voice for educators in Arkansas. See what membership can mean for you!
AEA members in front of backdrop

Active anywhere decisions impact our students.

From the School Board to the Statehouse, AEA members make our collective voice heard on a host of issues that impact our students, educators, and communities.

Learn more about what we're doing to improve the lives of our students, educators, and families.

Arkansas Education Association logo

Ensuring the Success of Every Student.

The Arkansas Education Association is a professional organization for teachers, education support professionals, students and advocates. Our fundamental objective is to work for quality and equitable public education for all of Arkansas students, the betterment of the Arkansas state education system and quality working conditions for educators.
About us
Join AEA

The Arkansas Education Association is a state affiliate of the National Education Association (NEA), the nation's largest professional employee organization. NEA has affiliate organizations in every state and in more than 14,000 communities across the United States.

Learn more at NEA.org

Signup

Indicates Required

Validate your AEA membership to create an account and access members-only content.

Use the same first and last name as your AEA membership.

Find your Member ID on the back of your copy of the NEA Today print magazine, on EdCommunities, or by emailing [email protected].
A valid email address. All emails from the system will be sent to this address. The email address is not made public and will only be used if you wish to receive a new password.

Login

Indicates Required

Log in to access content only available to AEA members.