Sen. Kelly Announces Over $130 Million Increase for Arizona School Nutrition Programs 

Today, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly announced that school nutrition programs in Arizona will see a $130.9 million funding increase thanks to legislation Kelly helped pass this year. The funding, which will be dispersed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), will help Arizona schools and child care providers handle rising food costs by increasing the reimbursement for free and reduced lunch programs and supplementing supply chain assistance funds.

“Providing kids with healthy school meals is essential to their wellbeing and success both in and out of the classroom, and this funding will help keep Arizona school meal programs up and running for the millions of kids that depend on them,” said Senator Mark Kelly. “I’ll keep working with Republicans and Democrats in the Senate to make sure Arizona’s schools have the resources they need to deal with rising food costs and other challenges.” 

Earlier this year, Kelly helped introduced legislation and pushed congressional leaders of both parties to extend the child nutrition waivers for free and reduced lunch programs for millions of students. Arizona child nutrition programs will receive $52.5 million through the Kelly-backed Keep Kids Fed Act, $35.9 million through the annual inflation adjustment, and $42.6 million in supply chain assistance funds.

Starting July 1, nutrition programs will receive an additional $.68 per free or reduced-price lunch served, and an additional $0.32 for each free or reduced-price breakfast.