Food for Thought Act of 2023
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (20 Jul 2023): Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
What this bill does
H.R. 4812, the Food for Thought Act of 2023, would amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to let the Secretary of Education award competitive grants to colleges and universities—or consortia of institutions—to provide free meals to low-income students through existing on-campus meal programs. Grant recipients would be required to identify and prioritize students with the greatest financial need or those facing food or housing insecurity, offer them between one and ten free meals per week, and could use up to 10 percent of funds for related activities such as helping vendors accept SNAP, supporting food pantries, or buying kitchen equipment. Grants would last five years, with reporting requirements on fund use and student outcomes.
The bill primarily affects "eligible institutions"—those where at least 30 percent of undergraduates receive Pell Grants—with priority given to community colleges, minority-serving institutions, and schools in high-poverty areas. Low-income and food-insecure college students at these institutions would be the direct beneficiaries, gaining access to free campus meals and information about other benefit programs like SNAP.
The bill was introduced in the House on July 20, 2023, by Rep. Adam Schiff and referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce. It has not received a vote and, according to available records, did not advance further in the 118th Congress.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Food for Thought Act of 2023
This bill allows the Department of Education to award grants for eligible institutions of higher education to provide free meals to low-income students through on-campus meal programs.
Timeline
20 Jul 2023
Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 4812 do?
- H.R. 4812, the Food for Thought Act of 2023, would amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to let the Secretary of Education award competitive grants to colleges and universities—or consortia of institutions—to provide free meals to low-income students through existing on-campus meal programs. Grant recipients would be required to identify and prioritize students with the greatest financial need or those facing food or housing insecurity, offer them between one and ten free meals per week, and could use up to 10 percent of funds for related activities such as helping vendors accept SNAP, supporting food pantries, or buying kitchen equipment. Grants would last five years, with reporting requirements on fund use and student outcomes. The bill primarily affects "eligible institutions"—those where at least 30 percent of undergraduates receive Pell Grants—with priority given to community colleges, minority-serving institutions, and schools in high-poverty areas. Low-income and food-insecure college students at these institutions would be the direct beneficiaries, gaining access to free campus meals and information about other benefit programs like SNAP. The bill was introduced in the House on July 20, 2023, by Rep. Adam Schiff and referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce. It has not received a vote and, according to available records, did not advance further in the 118th Congress.
- Has H.R. 4812 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 4812. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 4812?
- H.R. 4812 was sponsored by Rep. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA-28] (D-CA), with 56 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 4812?
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. (20 Jul 2023).
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