Bill · H.R. 9164· House(119-HR-9164)
FRESH Act
- Introduced
- 6/4/2026
- Last activity
- 6/4/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Sponsored by
- Glenn Thompson
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The FRESH Act of 2026 amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to create a grant program. The Secretary of Agriculture would provide competitive grants to eligible entities to buy and install milk dispensers or cold storage equipment. These grants are for use in elementary and secondary schools. The federal government would cover up to 75 percent of project costs. The bill authorizes $4,000,000 annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
Yes· 3 of 17
Would children be better off under this?+5
Improves the quality and availability of milk storage in elementary and secondary schools.
Would students be better off under this?+5
Directly improves infrastructure for student nutrition.
Would Native Americans be better off under this?+4
Specifically includes tribal organizations as eligible entities for grants.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?-1
The bill authorizes new federal spending of $4 million annually.
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-1
The bill creates a new grant program requiring federal appropriations.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Access to Equipment: Local educational agencies, school food authorities, and tribal organizations can receive grants to acquire and install milk dispensers or cold storage equipment (SEC. 2 (a)).
-
Financial Support: Eligible entities can have up to 75 percent of their project costs covered by the Federal share (SEC. 2 (c)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Limited Funding: The program is competitive and only authorizes $4,000,000 per year from 2027 through 2031, which may limit the number of entities that can receive help (SEC. 2 (d)).
-
Cost Burden: Because the Federal share cannot be greater than 75 percent, eligible entities must provide the remaining funding for their projects (SEC. 2 (c)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Children+5Good For Students+5Good For Native Americans+4Good For Low Income Households+3Good For Young Adults+2Good For African Americans+1Good For Business Owners+1Good For Farmers+1Good For Hispanic Americans+1Good For Middle Class Households+1Good For Rural Residents+1Good For Urban Residents+1
- Education And Technology
- Increases Public School Funding+3
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Government Spending-1Reduces National Debt-1
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+1
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+1
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+1
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+1
- 6/4/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Joe CourtneyDemocrat · Connecticut