Washington, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) announced today that, thanks to a bipartisan effort in Congress, Washington state can now participate in a successful food assistance program that will boost the state’s enrollment and participation in summer reduced-fee lunch programs by decreasing complicated paperwork and increasing reimbursements to food sponsor organizations.

Larsen sent a letter with fellow Washington state colleagues to House leaders urging the inclusion of Washington as an eligible state to participate in the Simplified Summer Food Service Program. The expansion of the program was included in the Fiscal Year 2006 Agriculture Appropriations conference report that passed the House of Representatives today.

“Only 13 percent of eligible, low-income children that get free or reduced-fee meals during the school year are getting assistance during summer,” Larsen said. “In other states, this successful pilot program has increased summer food participation by 37 percent.  I am hopeful that this Simplified Summer Food Service Program will do the same for Washington state.”

In July, Larsen visited a Summer Food Service Program sponsored by the Mukilteo School District. He heard firsthand about the challenges facing potential sponsoring organizations that must complete extensive paperwork and complicated accounting procedures. Simplifying the process has allowed more organizations to participate, thereby providing more site options where children without transportation can receive food.
 
“Hunger does not stop just because the school year does,” Larsen said. “This pilot program will help ensure that food assistance is based on hungry kids’ needs, not the school calendar.”

Other members who sent the letter with Larsen were U.S. Reps. Cathy McMorris, Adam Smith, Jay Inslee, Jim McDermott, Norm Dicks, and Brian Baird.

The Senate must approve the conference report before the president can sign the measure into law.

Larsen represents Washington’s 2nd Congressional District and is the only member from the state serving on the House Agriculture Committee. He is also a member of the Hunger Caucus in Congress.