March 13, 2013
Under current law, total funding for child nutrition programs will grow from $20 billion in 2013 to $29 billion in 2023, CBO projects. That rise largely reflects projected increases in food prices and thus the cost per meal, although the number of meals served by those programs is also expected to grow. The School Breakfast Program is projected to see the fastest growth, because CBO expects that more schools will participate and will implement policies that make it easier for eligible children to take part in the program.
For more detail on CBO's most recent projections for child nutrition programs, see Child Nutrition Programs—February 2013 Baseline.
Emily Stern is an analyst in CBO’s Budget Analysis Division.