REPRESENTATIVES MORELLE, KATKO AND SENATOR MERKLEY ACT TO CLOSE THE SUMMER LEARNING GAP AND REDUCE FOOD INSECURITY

(Rochester, NY) - Congressman Joe Morelle has introduced bipartisan legislation with Rep. Katko (R-NY), and Sen. Merkley (D-OR) to combat summer learning loss, which is especially prevalent in low-income communities, and ensure children have access to healthy food options. The Summer Meals and Learning Act of 2022 establishes a grant to fund reading programs at schools serving as summer meal sites, helping to close the achievement gap while reducing food insecurity. 

“As the husband of a retired teacher, I know that for many children, the joy of summer break is often overshadowed by the dread of food insecurity and learning loss,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “No child should go hungry, which is I’m proud to partner with Senator Merkley and Congressman Katko to introduce the Summer Learning and Meals Act. Our legislation will keep school libraries open during summer break, ensure children have access to reliable, healthy meals, and help to close the achievement gap—giving all children the opportunity to thrive.” 

“Every student—no matter their color, income, or zip code—deserves an excellent education that puts them on track for a lifetime of success,” said Senator Merkley. “But when the school year ends and summer vacation begins, millions of children go months without learning opportunities, leaving them at a disadvantage. Add an existing problem of child hunger—even before the COVID-19 pandemic, over half a million people in Oregon, including one in five children, struggled with food insecurity—and the challenges for children grow. This bill will not just minimize an educational gap during the summer months, but also help ensure students are kept fed while school is out. I look forward to working with my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to ensure brighter futures for our kids.”  

“Many children in Central New York struggle to access nutritious meals and educational resources during the summer months,” said Rep. Katko “This lack of access all too often disadvantages lower-income children and translates to long-term repercussions for their health and education. That is why I am proud to join Sen. Merkley and Rep. Morelle in introducing legislation to help ensure summer meals and summer reading can go hand in hand, ensuring brighter futures for every student.” 

Summer learning loss is an issue in every community, but particularly in underserved neighborhoods. Low-income children lose two or more months of reading achievement every summer, and by 5th grade, children without summer learning opportunities are two years behind their peers. The new grant program established by the Summer Meals and Learning Act would be run by the Department of Education and would provide grants to State libraries to fund summer reading programs at schools that:  

• Have a summer lunch program; and  
• Have at least 50% of students reading below grade level or are at risk of reading below grade levels.  

Endorsed by the American Library Association, National Summer Learning Association, and Share Our Strength—The Summer Meals and Learning Act will provide access to summer support helping students thrive year-round. 

Text of HR 8429: The Summer Meals and Learning Act of 2022