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: Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]
Target Audience
Population: Children in tribal areas eligible for free and reduced school meals
Estimated Size: 1200000
- The bill targets children who are enrolled members of an Indian tribe or have parents who are enrolled members, making them eligible for free school meals.
- It impacts children in tribal areas, specifically those attending Bureau-funded schools or schools on or near Indian reservations.
- There were approximately 7.1 million American Indian and Alaska Native people in the United States as of recent census estimates, with a significant portion being minors who would be in the school system.
- The bill will also impact school funding and nutrition assistance programs, including administrative staff and those involved in the distribution and preparation of school meals.
Reasoning
- The primary beneficiaries of this policy are school-aged children who are enrolled members of a tribe or have parents who are enrolled members. This policy aims to address nutritional deficits by improving access to meals, which can have significant wellbeing impacts.
- The policy also indirectly impacts schools in tribal areas, including administrators and staff who may see increased workloads due to expanded meal programs. This may also lead to temporary or permanent employment opportunities for people within the community.
- Given the existing socio-economic challenges in many tribal communities, increasing meal access can directly improve wellbeing by alleviating food insecurity, a component of overall life satisfaction.
- The budget constraints necessitate prioritizing areas with the highest populations of eligible children to maximize impact.
- Although the policy is significant for targeted groups, a large portion of the general U.S. population will remain unaffected.
Simulated Interviews
Student (Navajo Nation, Arizona)
Age: 9 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I like that I can have breakfast and lunch at school now, it makes me feel better in the mornings.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
School Administrator (Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The funding from this policy helps ensure that our students have access to the meals they need. It's a relief for many families in our community.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Student (Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma)
Age: 16 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Knowing we can have free meals at school has made it easier for my family to manage our grocery budget. We have a little more freedom to buy other necessities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Office worker (Urban area not near a reservation)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm not directly affected by this policy, but it's good to hear that support is being extended to communities in need.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Retired (Urban area, Washington)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it's important to support children's nutrition and health, especially in underserved areas. However, it doesn't impact me or my family personally.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Nutritionist (Tulalip Reservation, Washington)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy has enabled us to expand our meal plans and reach more children. It's gratifying to see the tangible benefits for student health.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Community Leader (Alaska Native Village)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The children in our community have better meal options now, thanks to these programs. It's a crucial development for us.
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 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Accountant (Seattle, Washington)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our work has increased due to the expanded meal programs, but it's meaningful to be a part of this positive change.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Student (Spokane Reservation, Washington)
Age: 17 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- With free lunches, I feel more energy for sports and school. It's good to know we are supported.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Student (Ho-Chunk Nation, Wisconsin)
Age: 12 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't worry about lunch money anymore, and I can focus on my classes and friends.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $2300000000 (Low: $2000000000, High: $2600000000)
Year 2: $2300000000 (Low: $2000000000, High: $2600000000)
Year 3: $2300000000 (Low: $2000000000, High: $2600000000)
Year 5: $2300000000 (Low: $2000000000, High: $2600000000)
Year 10: $2300000000 (Low: $2000000000, High: $2600000000)
Year 100: $2300000000 (Low: $2000000000, High: $2600000000)
Key Considerations
- The program increases costs significantly, with a focus on expanding meal accessibility to 1.2 million children.
- Long-term health and education benefits could indirectly improve economic productivity.
- Potential logistical challenges in implementing new programs, requiring administrative coordination and oversight.