Food for Thought Act of 2023
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (20 Jul 2023): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
What this bill does
S. 2441, the "Food for Thought Act of 2023," would amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to let the Secretary of Education award competitive, five-year grants to colleges and universities—or consortia of institutions—to provide free meals to low-income students through existing on-campus meal programs. Eligible institutions must have at least 30% of undergraduates receiving Federal Pell Grants. Grant recipients would be required to provide one to ten free meals per week to selected low-income students, prioritizing those with the greatest financial need or facing food, housing, or other basic-needs insecurity. Institutions could also use a limited share of funds for related activities such as helping campus vendors accept SNAP, supporting food pantries, or buying kitchen equipment.
The bill primarily affects colleges serving large shares of Pell-eligible students, such as community colleges and minority-serving institutions, which would receive priority in grant selection. Low-income and food-insecure college students would be the direct beneficiaries. Grantees would face reporting requirements, including outcomes data on student persistence and completion, and the Secretary would report to Congress on the program's overall impact.
The bill was introduced by Senator Peter Welch on July 20, 2023, with several cosponsors, and referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. It has not received a vote and, according to CRS, did not advance during 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
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Common questions
- What does S. 2441 do?
- S. 2441, the "Food for Thought Act of 2023," would amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to let the Secretary of Education award competitive, five-year grants to colleges and universities—or consortia of institutions—to provide free meals to low-income students through existing on-campus meal programs. Eligible institutions must have at least 30% of undergraduates receiving Federal Pell Grants. Grant recipients would be required to provide one to ten free meals per week to selected low-income students, prioritizing those with the greatest financial need or facing food, housing, or other basic-needs insecurity. Institutions could also use a limited share of funds for related activities such as helping campus vendors accept SNAP, supporting food pantries, or buying kitchen equipment. The bill primarily affects colleges serving large shares of Pell-eligible students, such as community colleges and minority-serving institutions, which would receive priority in grant selection. Low-income and food-insecure college students would be the direct beneficiaries. Grantees would face reporting requirements, including outcomes data on student persistence and completion, and the Secretary would report to Congress on the program's overall impact. The bill was introduced by Senator Peter Welch on July 20, 2023, with several cosponsors, and referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. It has not received a vote and, according to CRS, did not advance during the 118th Congress.
- Has S. 2441 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 2441. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 2441?
- S. 2441 was sponsored by Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT] (D-VT), with 5 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 2441?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (20 Jul 2023).
Related bills in Education
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More bills from Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT]
Banning Toxics from Plastic Bottles Act of 2026
Supporting Small Affordable Housing Developers Act
American Renewable Energy Act of 2026
Consumer Advocacy and Protection Act of 2026
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