H.R. 5012 is expected to be considered on the House floor on Wednesday, December 8, 2010, under a suspension of the rules, which requires a two-thirds majority vote to pass. Rep. Titus introduced H.R. 5012 on April 13, 2010.
H.R. 5012 would amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to set up a new discretionary program that provides commodities to nonprofit organizations that would provide nutritious food to at-risk school children on weekends and during extended school holidays during the school year. (At-risk school children are those who participate in the school lunch program and reside in an area served by a school in which at least 50 percent of the students receive free or reduced price meals under the school lunch or breakfast programs.)
Nonprofits organizations would include elementary and secondary schools, school food authorities, and emergency feeding agencies. Priority would be given to institutions that have on-going programs and experience with programs that assist at-risk children.
The bill would require commodity recipients to satisfy safe food storage, handling, and delivery standards established by the Secretary.
As of press time, the Congressional Budget Office had not released a score of H.R. 5012. However, some members may be concerned that H.R. 5012 would create a new discretionary program.
