Food for Thought Act of 2026

This bill would create a federal grant program, run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service, to pay for free meals and snacks for low-income college students. Grants would go on a competitive basis to colleges where at least 20 percent of undergraduates are eligible for Pell Grants, and to certain food providers or groups of colleges, for up to 2 years. Grant recipients would provide between 1 and 10 free meals per week per student, give priority to Pell Grant recipients and students facing food or housing insecurity, and tell students about other benefits such as SNAP. Free meals from the program would not count when determining SNAP eligibility or federal student financial aid. The bill authorizes funding as necessary for fiscal years 2027 through 2032 and requires reports to Congress on the program.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Nanette Diaz Barragán Democrat sponsor
• 36 cosponsors