Despite significant progress towards increasing access to school meal programs, the current free and reduced enrollment system is not reaching all eligible kids. We think the USDA should expand access by eliminating the reduced price category and streamlining the application process.

A GAO study in 2002 estimated that approximately 8% of Federal program dollars were spent on administrative activities related to applications. Streamlining the application process by eliminating the reduced price category would both increase participation and free up resources to be spent for children's food. Paperwork could also be cut by awarding grants to increase participation under Provisions 2 and 3.

We believe nutritious meals are a fundamental part of the educational process, like textbooks, and should be accessible to all who need them. These measures would be a good first step toward the goal of universal school meals.