McIver Introduces Bill to Expand Access to Summer Meals for Families
Skip to content Close Home About Meet LaMonica Committees And Caucuses Our District Votes and Legislation Contact Email Me Newsletter Subscribe Office Locations Request An Appearance Media Press Releases In the News Press Kit Issues Education Environment Healthcare Housing LGBTQ+ Rights Reproductive Justice Small Business Transportation and Infrastructure Voting Rights Services Help With A Federal Agency Events Commendations And Greetings Appropriations Requests Flags Grant Applications Internships Military Academy Nominations Congressional App Challenge Poetry Contest Tours And Tickets Resources Close Mobile Site Search SEARCH Congresswoman LaMonica McIver About Meet LaMonica Committees And Caucuses Our District Votes and Legislation Contact Email Me Newsletter Subscribe Office Locations Request An Appearance Media Press Releases In the News Press Kit Issues Education Environment Healthcare Housing LGBTQ+ Rights Reproductive Justice Small Business Transportation and Infrastructure Voting Rights Services Help With A Federal Agency Events Commendations And Greetings Appropriations Requests Flags Grant Applications Internships Military Academy Nominations Congressional App Challenge Poetry Contest Tours And Tickets Resources Modal Search Button Mobile Site Search Submit Search MENU Facebook Logo Twitter Logo BlueSky Logo Youtube Logo Instagram Logo Home Media Press Releases July 02, 2026 McIver Introduces Bill to Expand Access to Summer Meals for Families WASHINGTON, D.C . – Today, Congresswoman LaMonica McIver (NJ-10) introduced the Summer Meals Reaching Every Area’s Child Hunger (REACH) Act , a bill to expand access to free summer meals for children by removing barriers that prevent schools and community organizations from serving families where they are. As Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) previously introduced this legislation in the Senate, Rep. McIver is championing this effort in the House. During school breaks, millions of children lose access to the breakfasts and lunches they rely on during the school year, leaving many families struggling to put food on the table. Just 16% of the children who receive free or reduced-price school lunch get lunch during the summer months. The Summer Meals REACH Act would modernize the Summer Food Service Program by permitting grab-and-go meal services and expanding eligibility for more communities to participate. “Every child deserves access to healthy and nutritious meals, no matter the season,” said Rep. McIver. “For too many families, summertime brings fear of losing the meals their children rely on during the school year. We know what works. Giving summer meal providers the flexibility to offer grab-and-go meals and meal delivery options are common-sense, proven measures to fight summer hunger. Your ZIP Code shouldn’t determine whether young people have enough to eat. That’s why I’m leading the Summer Meals REACH Act with Senator Kim, to cut unnecessary red tape, expand access to summer meals, and ensure no child goes hungry simply because school is out.” “When schools close for summer break, millions of children lose access to the breakfasts, lunches, and after-school meals they rely on during the academic year,” said Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05). “The Summer Meals REACH Act makes permanent several practical flexibilities within the Summer Food Service Program, allowing local providers to serve more children during this time. Going hungry during summer months is not something a child in the richest country on earth should have to worry about. This legislation will expand access to the nutritious meals children need to stay healthy and ready to learn.” “For millions of kids, the summer break from school means worrying about where they’ll get their next meal,” said Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ). “We need all of Congress working together to tackle summer hunger – that's why I am grateful for Representatives McIver and Hayes for heading up this legislation in the House and helping take us one step closer to making sure every child has access to nutritious food year-round.” “Hungry kids are only kids who dread, instead of relishing, summer vacations off school, because the vast majority of U.S. children who receive school meals over the school year don’t receive summer meals when schools are closed,” said Joel Berg, Chief Executive Officer, Hunger Free America. “We applaud Rep. McIver for leading the effort to close that gap.” “Consistent access to nutritious food is critical year-round, especially for children who rely on school meals during the academic year,” said Tamara Randall, President, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, MS, RDN, LD, CDCES, FAND. “The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics commends Rep. LaMonica McIver for championing the Summer Meals REACH Act in the House to help ensure more children have access to healthy meals during the summer months. Nutritious meals support children’s growth, well-being and healthy eating habits, helping set them up for success in
9016fff1-c7a3-4c5c-9f81-9ee124248ec4Edit history (1 prior version)
This release was edited after publication. Earlier captures are preserved below.
- Captured Jul 8, 2026, 9:46 AM EDT
Show prior body text
Skip to content Close Home About Meet LaMonica Committees And Caucuses Our District Votes and Legislation Contact Email Me Newsletter Subscribe Office Locations Request An Appearance Media Press Releases In the News Press Kit Issues Education Environment Healthcare Housing LGBTQ+ Rights Reproductive Justice Small Business Transportation and Infrastructure Voting Rights Services Help With A Federal Agency Poetry Contest Commendations And Greetings Appropriations Requests Flags Grant Applications Internships Military Academy Nominations Congressional App Challenge Tours And Tickets Resources Close Mobile Site Search SEARCH Congresswoman LaMonica McIver About Meet LaMonica Committees And Caucuses Our District Votes and Legislation Contact Email Me Newsletter Subscribe Office Locations Request An Appearance Media Press Releases In the News Press Kit Issues Education Environment Healthcare Housing LGBTQ+ Rights Reproductive Justice Small Business Transportation and Infrastructure Voting Rights Services Help With A Federal Agency Poetry Contest Commendations And Greetings Appropriations Requests Flags Grant Applications Internships Military Academy Nominations Congressional App Challenge Tours And Tickets Resources Modal Search Button Mobile Site Search Submit Search MENU Facebook Logo Twitter Logo BlueSky Logo Youtube Logo Instagram Logo Home Media Press Releases July 02, 2026 McIver Introduces Bill to Expand Access to Summer Meals for Families WASHINGTON, D.C . – Today, Congresswoman LaMonica McIver (NJ-10) introduced the Summer Meals Reaching Every Area’s Child Hunger (REACH) Act , a bill to expand access to free summer meals for children by removing barriers that prevent schools and community organizations from serving families where they are. As Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) previously introduced this legislation in the Senate, Rep. McIver is championing this effort in the House. During school breaks, millions of children lose access to the breakfasts and lunches they rely on during the school year, leaving many families struggling to put food on the table. Just 16% of the children who receive free or reduced-price school lunch get lunch during the summer months. The Summer Meals REACH Act would modernize the Summer Food Service Program by permitting grab-and-go meal services and expanding eligibility for more communities to participate. “Every child deserves access to healthy and nutritious meals, no matter the season,” said Rep. McIver. “For too many families, summertime brings fear of losing the meals their children rely on during the school year. We know what works. Giving summer meal providers the flexibility to offer grab-and-go meals and meal delivery options are common-sense, proven measures to fight summer hunger. Your ZIP Code shouldn’t determine whether young people have enough to eat. That’s why I’m leading the Summer Meals REACH Act with Senator Kim, to cut unnecessary red tape, expand access to summer meals, and ensure no child goes hungry simply because school is out.” “When schools close for summer break, millions of children lose access to the breakfasts, lunches, and after-school meals they rely on during the academic year,” said Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05). “The Summer Meals REACH Act makes permanent several practical flexibilities within the Summer Food Service Program, allowing local providers to serve more children during this time. Going hungry during summer months is not something a child in the richest country on earth should have to worry about. This legislation will expand access to the nutritious meals children need to stay healthy and ready to learn.” “For millions of kids, the summer break from school means worrying about where they’ll get their next meal,” said Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ). “We need all of Congress working together to tackle summer hunger – that's why I am grateful for Representatives McIver and Hayes for heading up this legislation in the House and helping take us one step closer to making sure every child has access to nutritious food year-round.” “Hungry kids are only kids who dread, instead of relishing, summer vacations off school, because the vast majority of U.S. children who receive school meals over the school year don’t receive summer meals when schools are closed,” said Joel Berg, Chief Executive Officer, Hunger Free America. “We applaud Rep. McIver for leading the effort to close that gap.” “Consistent access to nutritious food is critical year-round, especially for children who rely on school meals during the academic year,” said Tamara Randall, President, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, MS, RDN, LD, CDCES, FAND. “The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics commends Rep. LaMonica McIver for championing the Summer Meals REACH Act in the House to help ensure more children have access to healthy meals during the summer months. Nutritious meals support children’s growth, well-being and healthy eating habits, helping set them up for success in school and bey
Issued within 24 hours
Other senators' releases published in the day before or after this one.
