The Policy Brief: What We’re Watching

Congress is in recess until early September, but they’ll be returning to a busy fall—lawmakers will have less than a month to complete the appropriations process.

Time for appropriations

What are appropriations, again? This is the stretch where Congress decides what programs and services get funded for the year ahead, and whether new ideas make it into the budget or get left behind. The deadline for passing all necessary appropriations bills this year is September 30.

When Congress reconvenes, this work will guide which programs thrive, which face cuts, and where new opportunities might emerge for the communities we serve.

As the appropriations process heats up, FoodCorps is watching a few key programs closely. Here are the potential policy moves we’re tracking this season. 

AmeriCorps and national service

Although FoodCorps no longer has the support of AmeriCorps funding, national service remains a vital part of the landscape for community-driven work like ours—and we will continue advocating for its protection and sustained investment.

Before the August recess, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved a bill that includes near-level funding for AmeriCorps and aims to protect it from future federal cuts. While this is a positive development, it represents just one step in the long appropriations process. The House has yet to release its version of the same bill, and final funding decisions will be made in the coming months.

SNAP-Ed and nutrition education

On the nutrition front, SNAP‑Ed—the federally supported nutrition education program—was essentially zeroed out during the recent reconciliation process, dealing a significant blow to nutrition education efforts nationwide. However, there is potential for SNAP‑Ed funding to be restored through the appropriations process. This would be a critical win for programs that rely on strong nutrition education to support healthy eating habits in communities.

Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) has filed an amendment to restore SNAP‑Ed funding to its original level, with Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) co‑sponsoring the effort. The amendment’s fate will be tied to negotiating a package of several bills, but we are actively fighting for this funding as part of our advocacy efforts. 

WIC access and food assistance

FoodCorps also supports increased access to and full funding of the WIC fruit and vegetable benefit, which plays a vital role in improving food security and nutrition for families with young children. Ensuring that this benefit is fully funded helps WIC participants access fresh, healthy foods, directly supporting our goals for child nutrition and community health.

The Senate took a major step on August 1 by passing an appropriations bill that provides $27.1 billion to support rural communities and maintain key food assistance programs. 

Highlights include:

• $3.6 billion for agricultural research, with $1.9 billion for the Agricultural Research Service and $1.7 billion for the National Institute of Food and Agriculture
  
• $8.2 billion for food assistance programs, including WIC
  
• $3.6 billion for the FDA, including increases for food safety inspections
  
• Funding for school nutrition innovations, including a new pilot grant program to help schools serve more nutritious meals; $10 million for school equipment grants; $5 million for farm to school programs; and $1.5 million for the Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN)

The school food improvement pilot is a particularly meaningful opportunity for organizations like FoodCorps. This program would help schools try new strategies for improving meal quality and making nutritious foods more appealing to kids. Programs like this can drive innovation in school meals and help connect more children to the nourishing food they need to thrive.

Farm Bill in the mix

Two factors could complicate the fall legislative timeline. First, lawmakers are considering a “skinny” Farm Bill, named as such because it would extend current programs for a short term, rather than enacting a full, multi-year Farm Bill reauthorization. This approach would prevent major disruptions to programs like SNAP and farm supports, but it would delay any new investments or reforms.

Second, if Congress cannot pass all 12 appropriations bills by the September 30 deadline, a continuing resolution (CR) is likely. A CR keeps the government funded at last year’s levels, which provides short-term stability for programs like WIC, but it also pauses any new initiatives. Opportunities like the school food improvement pilot and other nutrition investments in the Senate bill would be delayed.

Some good, non-appropriations news

One last, non-appropriations measure we’re watching: The CARE for Kids Act of 2025, introduced in July by Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-CT) with bipartisan support from Reps. Don Bacon (R‑NE) and Deborah Ross (D-NC), aims to expand access to free school meals for children living in kinship care and other non‑traditional caregiving arrangements.

The bill improves direct certification processes by ensuring that eligible children are automatically enrolled in school meals, even as they move between schools due to changes in guardianship. It also clarifies that children receiving Medicaid due to foster care or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are eligible for automatic certification.

This legislation is a commonsense step toward ensuring more children, especially those impacted by the child welfare system, have equitable access to school meals. The bill strengthens vital pathways to free meals for students who might otherwise fall through the cracks.

Looking ahead

FoodCorps will stay tuned into the appropriations process and continue supporting legislation that nourishes kids and communities. Create an advocacy profile today and we’ll let you know when it’s time to take action.