FORK Act of 2026
Latest action (3 Aug 2026): Introduced
What this bill does
The FORK Act of 2026 would amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to create a pilot program allowing the U.S. Department of Agriculture to award grants to "service institutions" — organizations that provide summer meals to children — for purchasing, retrofitting, or repairing vehicles used to deliver noncongregate meals during the summer months. Grants would be capped at $100,000 per year-long award, with no more than 10 percent usable for administrative costs. The Secretary would prioritize applicants in economically distressed areas, rural areas outside core-based statistical areas, and areas serving many students from socially disadvantaged backgrounds, while trying to spread grants across different states.
The bill primarily affects organizations that run summer meal programs for children, particularly in rural and low-income communities, by helping them acquire or maintain vehicles needed to reach children who cannot gather at a central site. Children who rely on summer meal programs, especially in areas with transportation barriers, would be the intended beneficiaries. The USDA would administer the grants, provide technical assistance, and report to Congress on the program's results within four years. Funding would be authorized at $1 million annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2029.
The bill was introduced on August 3, 2026, by Rep. Andrea Salinas along with several cosponsors, and referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce. As a newly introduced bill, it would need committee consideration, potential amendment, and votes in both the House and Senate, followed by presidential signature, before becoming law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Feeding Our Rural Kids Act of 2026 or the FORK Act of 2026
This bill establishes a summer meal delivery vehicle pilot program as part of the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). (The SFSP is a federally funded, state-administered program that reimburses providers that serve no-cost, healthy meals and snacks to children and teens at summer sites in low-income communities.)
Under the bill, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) must award one-year grants of up to $100,000 for service institutions (e.g., school food authorities) to purchase, retrofit, or repair vehicles to facilitate noncongregate meal distribution. This is meal distribution outside of the typically required group, or congregate, setting (e.g., grab-and-go meal service).
Among other things, USDA must give priority to service institutions located in an area in which poor economic conditions exist and that serve a high proportion of students from socially disadvantaged backgrounds. USDA must also ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that service institutions receiving grants are located in different states.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 10038 do?
- The FORK Act of 2026 would amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to create a pilot program allowing the U.S. Department of Agriculture to award grants to "service institutions" — organizations that provide summer meals to children — for purchasing, retrofitting, or repairing vehicles used to deliver noncongregate meals during the summer months. Grants would be capped at $100,000 per year-long award, with no more than 10 percent usable for administrative costs. The Secretary would prioritize applicants in economically distressed areas, rural areas outside core-based statistical areas, and areas serving many students from socially disadvantaged backgrounds, while trying to spread grants across different states. The bill primarily affects organizations that run summer meal programs for children, particularly in rural and low-income communities, by helping them acquire or maintain vehicles needed to reach children who cannot gather at a central site. Children who rely on summer meal programs, especially in areas with transportation barriers, would be the intended beneficiaries. The USDA would administer the grants, provide technical assistance, and report to Congress on the program's results within four years. Funding would be authorized at $1 million annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2029. The bill was introduced on August 3, 2026, by Rep. Andrea Salinas along with several cosponsors, and referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce. As a newly introduced bill, it would need committee consideration, potential amendment, and votes in both the House and Senate, followed by presidential signature, before becoming law.
- Has H.R. 10038 become law?
- Not yet. As of 3 Aug 2026, H.R. 10038 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 10038?
- H.R. 10038 was sponsored by Rep. Andrea Salinas [D-OR6] (Democrat-OR), with 3 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 10038?
- Introduced (3 Aug 2026).
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