Hirono Statement on Bill Signed Into Law to Keep Keiki Fed

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) released the following statement about the bipartisan Keep Kids Fed Act recently signed into law by President Biden:

“Growing up, my school had to create a special program so I could “earn” my lunch,” said Senator Hirono. “I knew even as a young girl that it is wrong for any child to go hungry at school for lack of lunch money. I’m glad Congress worked in a bipartisan way to pass this bill, which the President has now signed into law, which will help ensure that keiki in Hawaii and across the country will not have to worry about being fed in summer programs and during the coming school year. This legislation will provide some relief for families still struggling to recover from the pandemic and supply chain disruptions. I will continue to do everything I can to better support children and families across Hawaii.”

The Keep Kids Fed Act passed the Senate unanimously last Thursday, and will provide critical funding and flexibility to get children healthy meals this summer and next year as schools and nonprofits continue to deal with supply chain challenges and high food prices. This bill became law as key flexibilities for these programs were set to expire on June 30, which would have left millions of kids across the country without access to healthy, nutritious meals.

Earlier this month, Senator Hirono joined a letter calling for an extension of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) child nutrition waivers ahead of their expiration and a robust set of child nutrition priorities. In March, she signed a similar letter and cosponsored legislation to extend these waivers through next September. Senator Hirono also led the Hawaii delegation in urging the USDA to take whatever steps necessary to prevent thousands of children and families from being forced into food insecurity. In April, she also met Hawaii Department of Education officials to discuss the need to extend flexibilities that have allowed schools to continue feeding students throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

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