The School Nutrition Association (SNA) reports that on June 28, the U.S. House Appropriations Agriculture Subcommittee marked up its FY 2018 Appropriations bill. Agriculture Appropriations bills are the primary funding source for school nutrition programs.

Passage of the bill is the first step in a long process toward finalizing a congressional budget. The bill was unanimously voted out of the subcommittee and will advance to the full Appropriations Committee for further consideration. After passing the full Appropriations Committee it must pass the House in a floor vote and then be reconciled with a Senate version.

The legislation which passed the subcommittee provides $24.28 billion in mandatory funding for child nutrition programs, which is a $1.5 billion increase from the FY 2017 enacted levels. It also continues the $25 million for school cafeteria equipment grants and continues policy provisions that allow waivers for whole grains, prevents further implementation of sodium reduction standards and provides flexibility to schools by allowing schools to serve low-fat flavored milk.