Senate may vote before July 15 on Improving Child Nutrition Integrity and Access Act of 2016

7/8/2016

From the Montana Food Bank Network:

The Congressional Budget Office has reportedly finalized their scores for the Senate Agriculture Committee CNR bill, paving the way for full Senate action. The Senate Agriculture Committee is hoping to use an expedited process with limited debate to bring the bill to the Senate floor before Congress leaves for the July 15th summer recess.

The Senate Ag Committee’s CNR bill is a strong, bipartisan compromise that would strengthen the Summer Food Service Program, WIC, CACFP (the Child and Adult Care Food Program), and Farm to School Programs. In particular, the bill would improve access to the Summer Food Service Program in rural areas by strengthening the Summer EBT provision, allowing additional non-congregate options, and streamlining SFSP with At-Risk Afterschool Meals for community sponsors.

Please take a moment to review the two pdf files below for more information on specifics associated with this bill.

Please call or email THIS WEEK to encourage both of Montana's Senators to support the Improving Child Nutrition Integrity and Access Act of 2016 when it comes up for a floor vote.

Senator Daines: (202) 224-2651, email at http://www.daines.senate.gov/connect/email-steve
Senator Tester: (202) 224-2644, email at https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=email_senator

Sample message:

Hello, I am a constituent from (town/city), Montana. I would like to urge Senator (Daines/Tester) to support the Senate Ag Committee's Child Nutrition bill when it comes up for a floor vote. One in five children in our state live in homes that struggle with hunger, putting them at risk of health problems and lower educational attainment. The Child Nutrition programs are crucial resources for Montana's families and important investments in Montana's kids. The Senate CNR bill is a strong, bipartisan compromise that makes notable improvements to the Summer Food Service Program, WIC, and the Child and Adult Care Food Program. In particular, the bill includes important provisions to improve access to the Summer Food Service Program in rural states like ours. Please vote to support the Improving Child Nutrition Integrity and Access Act of 2016.

Thank you for speaking out for Montana's children. Please contact Tirza Asbell from the Montana Food Bank Network at tasbell@mfbn.org or (406) 215-1771 if you have any questions.