Food for Thought Act of 2023

The Food for Thought Act of 2023 creates a federal grant program to provide free on-campus meals to low-income college students. Eligible colleges and university consortia can apply for 5-year grants to offer 1-10 free meals weekly per qualifying student, prioritizing those with the greatest financial need or experiencing food insecurity. The bill requires institutions to identify eligible students, remove barriers to meal plan access, and report on student outcomes (like retention rates) disaggregated by factors like race and Pell Grant status. It also mandates that meals meet nutritional guidelines and accommodate dietary needs, while allowing limited funding for SNAP enrollment support and campus food pantries.