March is National Nutrition Month, a time to highlight the importance of healthy eating habits as well as recognize the barriers that many families face in accessing nutritious food. Child nutrition is a key concern in Kentucky, where one in five children live in food-insecure households. 

Two programs that help meet the nutritional needs of Kentucky children are the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and USDA school nutrition programs. 

School nutrition programs like the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the School Breakfast Program (SBP) provide students with at least two nutritious meals a day during the school year and are shown to reduce food insecurity while improving diet quality, as school meals are often the healthiest meals students consume. Students are less likely to experience nutrient deficiencies and more likely to consume fruits, vegetables, and milk at breakfast and lunch—helping to build lifelong healthy habits.

SNAP is another critical support, helping low-income families afford groceries and maintain consistent access to nutritious foods. Its benefits go beyond the dinner table, contributing to numerous benefits for kids including better health, reduced healthcare costs, and improved educational outcomes. For many families, including those stepping up to care for relative kids, SNAP is a lifeline. 

“When I first got custody of my little guy, SNAP was a huge help for us while we were figuring everything out. It helped me ensure we always had food in the house and allowed me to buy fresh fruits, vegetables, and better meats so I could cook healthier meals for him. As a kinship caregiver, that support really meant a lot and helped take some of the pressure off while I focused on giving him the stability and care he needed.”  – Brandi, Warren County Kinship Caregiver

SNAP also supports access to school meals. Children in SNAP households are automatically eligible for free meals through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which enables high need schools to provide breakfast and lunch to all students at no cost. CEP reduces administrative burden and increases funding for school meal programs. Policies that limit SNAP access, such as eliminating Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility, would not only reduce critical nutrition support for families but also jeopardize school meal funding and access for Kentucky students.

Child nutrition has been top of mind for many Kentucky legislators. Members of the House and Senate convened during the 2025 interim session for the Make America Healthy Again Kentucky taskforce and explored several topics related to child health and nutrition including school meals, physical activity and education, nutrition education, and SNAP.

Several bills have been introduced this legislative session to improve nutrition outcomes for Kentucky children and families. 

  • House Bill 781 (Rep. Lockett) / Senate Bill  322 (Sen. Funke Frommeyer) – Improves the state’s SNAP Employment & Training program through an initiative to promote healthy workforce habits, household food security, and improved nutrition. 
  • House Bill 871 (Rep. Bivens): Provides financial incentives for schools to participate in the Farm to School program, increasing access to fresh, locally grown foods.
  • House Joint Resolution 88 (Rep. Duvall): Calls for a study on expanding access to free and reduced-price school meals. 
  • Senate Bill 5 (Sen. Howell): Simplifies procurement process to make it easier for schools to purchase local foods.
  • Senate Bill 242 (Sen. Herron): Establishes a grocery store initiative fund to expand access to healthy foods in underserved communities. 

We are also encouraged to see provisions included in the proposed state budget to fill funding gaps from the implementation of the federal HR 1 to ensure continued operation of the SNAP program in Kentucky. 

This National Nutrition Month, we urge legislators to continue protecting and strengthening access to SNAP and school meals. Ensuring that every child in Kentucky has access to nutritious food is an investment in the health, development, and future of the Commonwealth.