H. R. 9164

FRESH Act

Shown here: Introduced in House (2026-06-04)

To amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to require the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants to eligible entities to acquire and install milk storage-related equipment for use in elementary schools and secondary schools, and for other purposes.

1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the “Funding Refrigeration Equipment for Student Health Act of 2026” or the “FRESH Act”.

2. Milk storage equipment grant program

(a) In general

The Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

30. Milk storage equipment grant program
(a) Program established
The Secretary shall carry out a program to make grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities to acquire and install cold storage equipment for storing milk or milk dispensers for use in elementary schools and secondary schools.
(b) Application
To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.
(c) Federal share
The Federal share of a project carried out using a grant awarded under this section shall not be greater than 75 percent.
(d) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $4,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
(e) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Eligible entity
The term eligible entity means—
(A) a local educational agency or a school food authority administering or operating a school meal program;
(B) a tribal organization; or
(C) a consortium that includes a local educational agency or school food authority described in subparagraph (A), a tribal organization, or both.
(2) ESEA terms
The terms elementary school, local educational agency, and secondary school have the meaning given those terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
(3) Milk dispenser
The term milk dispenser means a machine that stores and chills milk in bulk at a consistent temperature and allows a user to dispense the milk directly into a cup or other container.
(4) School food authority
The term school food authority has the meaning given the term in section 210.2 of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation).
(5) Tribal organization
The term tribal organization has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).

(b) Conforming amendment

Section 3 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1752) is amended by striking “sections 13 and 17” and inserting “sections 13, 17, and 30”.

H. R. 9164

FRESH Act

Shown here: Introduced in House (2026-06-04)

2. Milk storage equipment grant program

(a) In general

The Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

30. Milk storage equipment grant program

(a) Program established

The Secretary shall carry out a program to make grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities to acquire and install cold storage equipment for storing milk or milk dispensers for use in elementary schools and secondary schools.

(b) Application

To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.

(c) Federal share

The Federal share of a project carried out using a grant awarded under this section shall not be greater than 75 percent.

(d) Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $4,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.

(e) Definitions

In this section:

(1) Eligible entity

The term eligible entity means—

(A) a local educational agency or a school food authority administering or operating a school meal program;

(B) a tribal organization; or

(C) a consortium that includes a local educational agency or school food authority described in subparagraph (A), a tribal organization, or both.

(2) ESEA terms

The terms elementary school, local educational agency, and secondary school have the meaning given those terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).

(3) Milk dispenser

The term milk dispenser means a machine that stores and chills milk in bulk at a consistent temperature and allows a user to dispense the milk directly into a cup or other container.

(4) School food authority

The term school food authority has the meaning given the term in section 210.2 of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation).

(5) Tribal organization

The term tribal organization has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).

(b) Conforming amendment

Section 3 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1752) is amended by striking “sections 13 and 17” and inserting “sections 13, 17, and 30”.