Bill Overview
Title: Tribal Nutrition Improvement Act of 2022
Description: This bill expands access to free and reduced school meals in tribal areas. Specifically, the bill makes a child who is an enrolled member (or who has one or more parents who are enrolled members) of an Indian tribe categorically eligible for free school breakfasts or lunches. Additionally, the bill allows the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to adjust reimbursement rates for breakfasts, lunches, suppers, and supplements served in Bureau-funded schools and elementary and secondary schools on or near an Indian reservation. The bill also directs USDA to establish a pilot program to award grants to 10 tribal entities for operating and implementing the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, the Summer Food Service Program, and the Child and Adult Care Food Program in Bureau-funded schools and elementary and secondary schools on or near an Indian reservation.
Sponsors: Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3]
Target Audience
Population: Children in tribal areas eligible for expanded school meal programs
Estimated Size: 5000000
- The bill targets tribal areas, specifically affecting school-aged children there.
- Tribal areas often have distinct demographics and challenges, including higher rates of poverty and food insecurity.
- Free and reduced meal eligibility will directly impact enrolled members of Indian tribes, potentially increasing nutrition security among these children.
- The adjustment of reimbursement rates will benefit schools in tribal areas, allowing them to better support food programs.
- Approximately 6.79 million people in the U.S. identify as American Indian or Alaska Native alone or in combination with other races (2020 Census), but the number impacted is limited to those connected to tribal schools.
Reasoning
- Tribal areas often experience higher poverty and food insecurity rates, which school meal programs can directly address.
- Offering free meals in schools can improve children's nutrition, wellbeing, and academic performance, particularly in economically disadvantaged areas.
- Enrolled members of Indian tribes stand to benefit the most, especially those attending Bureau-funded schools or schools on or near reservations.
- The budgetary limitations mean prioritization of the most affected schools and communities within tribal areas.
- While not all around 7.5 million American Indian or Alaska Native individuals will be affected, those in the school-age group, particularly in target tribal areas, will see direct impacts.
- Schools receiving increased reimbursement rates can improve meal quality, which may affect overall wellbeing positively.
Simulated Interviews
student (Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota)
Age: 10 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm excited about the free meals because sometimes we don't have enough food at home.
- I hope the meals will taste better too.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
school administrator (Navajo Nation, Arizona)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is crucial; many of our students rely on school-provided meals.
- With better funding, we can significantly improve meal quality.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
student (Cherokee, North Carolina)
Age: 15 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Free meals at school help a lot given our tight budget at home.
- I can focus better in class knowing lunch is taken care of.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
teacher (Urban area near a reservation, Oregon)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could really help my students, who often come to school hungry.
- Better food funding could lead to better educational outcomes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
school cook (Remote reservation in Montana)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've seen kids skip meals because they can't afford them, so free meals will make a big difference.
- Higher reimbursement rates will let us provide better food.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
high school student (Yakama Reservation, Washington)
Age: 17 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having free meals helps me maintain energy for sports.
- I worry less about how my family will manage meals.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
tribal elder and community leader (Nearby city to a reservation, New Mexico)
Age: 58 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The trickle-down benefits of this policy will strengthen our community's health.
- Better nourished children can contribute more to our cultural activities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
middle school student (Sioux Falls, not on reservation)
Age: 13 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope we don't miss out since we're not on a reservation.
- School meals would help our budget, but I'm not sure it will apply to us.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
parent and tribal council member (Rural Oklahoma, Choctaw Nation)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy will provide much-needed meal security for our children.
- As a council member, I'm focused on ensuring access to these programs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
graduate student (Urban area, Native American descent)
Age: 24 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policies like this are vital for reducing inequality in tribal communities.
- I see it as a step forward in honoring our responsibilities to Native children.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $300000000 (Low: $250000000, High: $350000000)
Year 2: $310000000 (Low: $260000000, High: $360000000)
Year 3: $320000000 (Low: $270000000, High: $370000000)
Year 5: $340000000 (Low: $290000000, High: $390000000)
Year 10: $380000000 (Low: $330000000, High: $440000000)
Year 100: $700000000 (Low: $600000000, High: $800000000)
Key Considerations
- Costs related to establishing and operating pilot programs in tribal schools are major considerations.
- Potential administrative challenges in adjusting reimbursement rates must be evaluated.
- Existing capacity in tribal areas to effectively implement and manage expanded meal programs.
- The bill's impact on child nutrition and concurrent long-term public health benefits.