Republican lawmakers are proposing cutting back the number of students who receive free and reduced lunches at school, prompting the School Nutrition Association to urge its membership into action to resist the proposed changes.

The proposal in the U.S. House of Representatives would bring down the number of schools qualifying for the free-and-reduced lunch program in an effort to save money, PBS News Hour reported. In addition, some Republicans are suggesting creating a trial block grant program in three states to pay for school lunches, which would result in a decrease in the amount of money schools receive for food. http://to.pbs.org/1YIGzIU

Republicans have proposed similar measures in the past only to see them shot them down after a wave of criticism. SNA is hoping to revitalize that opposition by urging members to contact elected officials, urging them to leave the free-and-reduced lunch program alone.

"The block grant pilot is the opening salvo in an aggressive, alarming attack on the future of school meals," SNA board President Jean Ronnei said. "The provision opens the door to a broader effort to block grant school meal programs nationwide."

The association noted the proposed language does increase funding for school breakfasts, but said that change isn't enough to make up for the "irreparable harm" a block grant program would do to school meal programs.

"In 1946, Congress made a promise to ensure America's students have access to the nutritious meals they need to succeed at school," Ronnei said. "Our children are relying on Congress to keep their promise." http://bit.ly/1YIHXeD

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