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S. 5429

BillFederalSenateIn Committee
A bill to amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to allow benefits under the supplemental nutrition assistance program to be used to purchase on-campus meals.
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · September 17, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Introduced
September 17, 2026
Cosponsors (0)
None
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Summary

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This bill allows college students from low-income households participating in the federal food assistance program (SNAP) to use their benefits to purchase prepared meals at campus dining locations. Currently, SNAP benefits can only be used to buy groceries for home preparation, not ready-to-eat meals. Under this legislation, eligible college students could use their benefits to buy hot meals at dining halls, campus stores, and food service locations operated by the college or contracted food service vendors, though benefits cannot be used to prepay meal plans or add money to dining accounts. The Department of Agriculture must issue regulations within one year to implement the program, and colleges and food service contractors must apply for authorization to accept SNAP benefits while charging the same prices as they do for regular customers. The bill also requires a study within two years examining participation rates, food insecurity among college students, and whether the program improves student retention and food security.

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