Inflation reduction and improved child nutrition mutually exclusive? School meals for 30 million children left in the dark

08 Aug 2022 --- Despite the US Senate expressing the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 is backed with strong support for its touted benefits, public interest organizations say the legislation is disappointing as it compromises child nutrition.

The bill - which needs to be passed by the House - aims to lower healthcare costs and prescription drugs, while implementing energy security investments and a “fairer tax code,” according to US President Joe Biden. 

Nonetheless, the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) expressed its disappointment over the omission of key child nutrition provisions, which were included in the Build Back Better Act of 2021.

“These investments in school meals are critical to reduce nutrition and food insecurity and mitigate a hunger cliff that many children may face as they return to school and the meal program lapses,” says Colin Schwartz, deputy director of federal affairs at CSPI. 

The Build Back Better Act 2021 included a US$250 million budget designated for healthier school meals, expansion of free school meals to an additional nine million children in higher-poverty schools and additional food assistance through summer EBT programs for 21 million children.

Additionally, the Inflation Reduction Act also bypasses the Support Kids Not Red Tape Act, despite the support of 51 senators who backed the proposal. The legislation envisions extending free school meals in the upcoming year. Yet, the provisions did not make it to the Inflation Reduction Act.

Food inflation at all-time high
Prices of foods have reached an all-time high across many parts of the world due to the uncertain macroeconomic environment (Ukraine war, COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain crisis and extreme weather etc.) pushing up prices. Previously this year, the UK reported its highest inflation rate in 30 years.

Nutritious food has been difficult or impossible to reach for many. “A good balance of calories, protein, fats, micronutrients and fiber is essential for human development and the prevention of illness. Good nutrition keeps immune systems strong, is vital for bone and muscle development and for brain and central nervous system development in infants,” Dr. Lawrence Haddad, executive director, GAIN, previously said.

“Largest investment ever”Although 51 senators support extending free school meals, the Inflation Reduction Act makes no mention of this. 
The Inflation Reduction Act is “a historic legislation that would help tackle today’s most pressing economic challenges, make our economy stronger for decades to come, and position the United States to be the world’s leader in clean energy,” the executive office of the president stated.

President Joe Biden published a statement expressing the benefits of the reduction act for American families, as lowering the deficit will reduce costs for all families.

“I ran for President promising to make government work for working families again, and that is what this bill does – period.” 

“This bill also makes the largest investment ever in combating the existential crisis of climate change. It addresses the climate crisis and strengthens our energy security, creating jobs manufacturing solar panels, wind turbines and electric vehicles in the US with American workers. It lowers families’ energy costs by hundreds of dollars each year,” Biden notes. 

Free school meals as public interest
Tackling climate change is an essential step to improving child nutrition, as a recent study revealed that increased heat exposure is an accelerator for child malnutrition.

Moreover, free school meals have shown long-term health benefits, as when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, child obesity accelerated.

In a statement from 2021, Peter Lurie, president of CSPI, stressed the importance of free school meals. 

“Last year, Congress temporarily authorized free school meals for all children in response to the pandemic, but, if Congress does not act, millions of children will lose access to free school meals next school year. The House bill expands free school meals to an additional 9 million children.” 

“Other laudable investments include US$500 million for school kitchen improvements and providing food assistance to 21 million more children in the summer. Although the bill falls short of providing healthy school meals for all children, as CSPI has advocated, this investment is an excellent step in the right direction,” Lurie noted.

The trajectory for adult healthNutritious meals at an early age reduces the risk of several diseases such as obesity and cardiovascular diseases.
Previously reported by NutritionInsight is the importance of child nutrition and overall health at an early stage of life as it impacts several health aspects throughout adulthood. A study showed that children's high blood pressure and cholesterol are linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, poor memory and learning abilities. 

In the US, diets do not live up to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and poor diets have shown an increased risk of diabetes, heart disease and obesity, a report stressed.

The issue of childhood obesity goes beyond the borders of the states, as UK figures recently showed a forecast of a 15% increase for four to five-year-olds and an even higher rate of 20% for children between ten to eleven years old. 

“For many students, school meals may be the only nutritious meals they receive that day. School meals provide good nutrition for children. Research shows that the school meal nutrition standards established in 2012 decreased the risk of childhood obesity among children in poverty by half over five years,” the CSPI previously mentioned.

Child nutrition is tackled indirectly, but not enough
Even though taking rapid action on climate change is crucial and linked to nutrition, as previously mentioned, childhood nutrition is essential for good health later in life. School meals are one way to ensure nutritious food for all children.

“We urge Congress to do right by the 30 million children who rely on school meals and add these important investments back into the bill, making sure our kids get the healthy meals they need to learn, grow, and thrive,” says Schwartz.

Additionally included in the Inflation reduction act is an established minimum corporate tax of 15% for large corporations “so that our richest corporations start to pay their fair share. It does not raise taxes on those making under $400,000 a year – not one cent,” Biden notes. He concludes:

“The House should pass this as soon as possible, and I look forward to signing it into law.”

By Beatrice Wihlander