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School Food Modernization Act

USA119th CongressHR-5731| House 
| Updated: 10/10/2025
Mark DeSaulnier

Mark DeSaulnier

Democratic Representative

California

Cosponsors (6)
Mark Pocan (Democratic)Glenn Thompson (Republican)Steve Cohen (Democratic)Josh Harder (Democratic)William R. Keating (Democratic)Mike Thompson (Democratic)

Agriculture Committee, Appropriations Committee, Education and Workforce Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to provide financial assistance for improving school meal programs. It establishes new mechanisms for funding facility upgrades and equipment purchases, alongside initiatives to enhance the skills of school food service personnel. The legislation aims to help schools provide healthier meals and operate their programs more effectively. The bill authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to issue loan guarantees , covering up to 80 percent of the principal, for the construction, remodeling, or expansion of school infrastructure and the purchase of durable equipment. It also creates an equipment grant program , starting in fiscal year 2026, offering competitive subgrants to local educational agencies and schools for necessary equipment. Both funding streams prioritize entities with substantial needs for infrastructure or equipment improvements. Additionally, the legislation establishes a competitive grant program for training and technical assistance for school food service personnel. These grants will support eligible third-party institutions in developing and delivering training to help staff meet nutrition standards and improve program efficiency. The federal share for these training grants is capped at 80 percent, requiring matching contributions from recipients. The bill reserves $300,000,000 in loan guarantee authority and authorizes annual appropriations for equipment grants ($35,000,000) and training grants ($10,000,000) from fiscal years 2026 through 2031, mandates a study on State administrative expense funds, and includes a $45,000,000 offset from Department of Education funds.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-3444
School Food Modernization Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-4379
School Food Modernization Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-4483
School Food Modernization Act
Oct 10, 2025
Introduced in House
Oct 10, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, and Appropriations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-3444
    School Food Modernization Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-4379
    School Food Modernization Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-4483
    School Food Modernization Act


  • October 10, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • October 10, 2025
    Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, and Appropriations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Agriculture and Food

School Food Modernization Act

USA119th CongressHR-5731| House 
| Updated: 10/10/2025
This bill amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to provide financial assistance for improving school meal programs. It establishes new mechanisms for funding facility upgrades and equipment purchases, alongside initiatives to enhance the skills of school food service personnel. The legislation aims to help schools provide healthier meals and operate their programs more effectively. The bill authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to issue loan guarantees , covering up to 80 percent of the principal, for the construction, remodeling, or expansion of school infrastructure and the purchase of durable equipment. It also creates an equipment grant program , starting in fiscal year 2026, offering competitive subgrants to local educational agencies and schools for necessary equipment. Both funding streams prioritize entities with substantial needs for infrastructure or equipment improvements. Additionally, the legislation establishes a competitive grant program for training and technical assistance for school food service personnel. These grants will support eligible third-party institutions in developing and delivering training to help staff meet nutrition standards and improve program efficiency. The federal share for these training grants is capped at 80 percent, requiring matching contributions from recipients. The bill reserves $300,000,000 in loan guarantee authority and authorizes annual appropriations for equipment grants ($35,000,000) and training grants ($10,000,000) from fiscal years 2026 through 2031, mandates a study on State administrative expense funds, and includes a $45,000,000 offset from Department of Education funds.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-3444
School Food Modernization Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-4379
School Food Modernization Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-4483
School Food Modernization Act
Oct 10, 2025
Introduced in House
Oct 10, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, and Appropriations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-3444
    School Food Modernization Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-4379
    School Food Modernization Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-4483
    School Food Modernization Act


  • October 10, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • October 10, 2025
    Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, and Appropriations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Mark DeSaulnier

Mark DeSaulnier

Democratic Representative

California

Cosponsors (6)
Mark Pocan (Democratic)Glenn Thompson (Republican)Steve Cohen (Democratic)Josh Harder (Democratic)William R. Keating (Democratic)Mike Thompson (Democratic)

Agriculture Committee, Appropriations Committee, Education and Workforce Committee

Agriculture and Food

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted