A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Feeding Our Rural Kids Act of 2026" (or "FORK Act of 2026") amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to create a summer meal delivery vehicle pilot program. The Secretary will provide grants up to $100,000 to service institutions to buy, retrofit, or repair vehicles used to distribute noncongregate meals. Priority for these grants will be given to entities in areas with poor economic conditions, areas outside core-based statistical areas, and areas serving many socially disadvantaged students. The Secretary must also ensure grantees are located in different States to the maximum extent practicable. The program includes reporting requirements and technical assistance. Funding is authorized at $1,000,000 per year from fiscal years 2027 through 2029.
Yes· 3 of 13
- Scored +9
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
Specifically targets rural areas outside core-based statistical areas for meal delivery.
- Scored +8
Would children be better off under this?
Significantly increases access to summer meals for children in rural and underserved areas.
- Scored +7
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
Prioritizes funding for areas with poor economic conditions and disadvantaged students.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Meal Access: Grants allow eligible entities to purchase, retrofit, or repair vehicles to help distribute noncongregate meals (Section 2(B)).
-
Support for Underserved Areas: Priority is given to entities in areas with poor economic conditions, those outside core-based statistical areas, and those serving a high proportion of socially disadvantaged students (Section 2(C)).
-
Geographic Diversity: The Secretary is required to ensure that grant recipients are located in different States as much as possible (Section 2(D)).
-
Guidance for Success: The Secretary will provide technical assistance and share best practices with the entities receiving grants (Section 2(F)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Limited Funding: The total authorized appropriation is $1,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2029, which may limit how many people can be helped (Section 2(H)).
-
Spending Caps: Eligible entities are restricted from using more than 10 percent of grant funds for administrative expenses (Section 2(E)(iii)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Specifically targets rural areas outside core-based statistical areas for meal delivery. Would children be better off under this? — Significantly increases access to summer meals for children in rural and underserved areas. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Prioritizes funding for areas with poor economic conditions and disadvantaged students. Would students be better off under this? — Increases availability of summer meals for students via mobile delivery. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — Positive impact through targeting socially disadvantaged students. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Positive impact through targeting socially disadvantaged students. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Positive impact through targeting socially disadvantaged students in rural areas.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Addresses food insecurity for children in poor economic conditions. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — Priority is given to areas serving students from socially disadvantaged backgrounds.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — Directly provides funding for meal delivery infrastructure in rural areas.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into public schools? — Provides grants to service institutions to facilitate meal programs for students.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — Improves nutritional health access by providing vehicles for meal delivery to children.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — Establishes a new federal grant program for meal delivery vehicles.
- 8/3/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Suzanne BonamiciDemocrat · Oregon
Val HoyleDemocrat · Oregon
Michael LawlerRepublican · New York