House Farm Bill Advances Rural Child Care and Food Aid But Must Do More to Protect Kids From Hunger

WASHINGTON (March 11, 2026) — Following the House Agriculture Committee’s vote to advance reauthorization of the Farm Bill, Save the Children and its political advocacy arm, Save the Children Action Network (SCAN), are urging lawmakers to strengthen protections for children and families as the legislation moves toward consideration by the full House of Representatives.

Save the Children US Chief Policy Officer Christy Gleason said: “Every child deserves a healthy start in life, including access to nutritious food and safe, affordable child care. The Farm Bill is one of the most important tools Congress has to support children and families in rural America and beyond.

"We are encouraged to see the House bill continue support for rural child care, including provisions of the Expanding Childcare in Rural America Act. Families across rural communities face severe shortages of child care options, and expanding access to high-quality care helps parents work, strengthens local economies and ensures young children have the opportunity to learn and thrive.

"At the same time, we ask Congress to consider the needs of children and families when it comes to fighting hunger. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the first line of defense against child hunger in the United States, especially in rural communities where families are often already struggling with higher food costs and fewer economic opportunities. As the work to reauthorize the Farm Bill continues, we urge Congress to provide states the support and flexibility they need to ensure families don’t lose access to food assistance."

Several states have raised concerns about the potential impact of the upcoming SNAP administrative and benefit cost-share shift set to begin taking effect on October 1, 2026.

The bill also reauthorizes Food for Peace, which for decades has been a cornerstone of U.S. leadership in combating global hunger, delivering lifesaving food assistance to children caught in conflict, disaster and extreme poverty.  

Gleason said: "We look forward to working with Congress to ensure that the Food for Peace program has the flexibility to get lifesaving food aid to the world’s hungriest children, no matter where they live, and that the program retains the ability to give communities the tools to break the cycle of humanitarian crisis.  

"We also applaud the reauthorization of McGovern-Dole Food for Education and appreciate that the House bill includes a new provision to increase efficiency by allowing the programs to respond better to local conditions.  

Gleason said: "As the Farm Bill moves forward, we urge lawmakers in both parties in the House and Senate to build on the positive steps in this proposal while strengthening nutrition and international food aid programs that millions of children depend on."

SCAN has been mobilizing supporters across the country to urge Congress to prioritize children’s needs in nutrition, early education and global food security. Since January 2025, SCAN’s nationwide grassroots network has generated more than 1 million messages to policymakers calling for stronger investments in nutrition, early education and global food security.

SCAN Executive Director Mark Shriver said: "Across the country, parents, educators and advocates are speaking out about the importance of these programs. Our nationwide network of grassroots advocates is mobilizing to ensure the Farm Bill protects children from hunger, expands child care in rural communities and strengthens America’s leadership in fighting global hunger. We look forward to continuing to work with policymakers across the aisle to ensure this legislation moves forward – making children’s futures brighter here in the US and around the world."

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