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Committee advances bill to create 'hunger-free campus' grants for Tennessee colleges
Summary
A bill establishing a voluntary 'hunger-free campus' designation and grant fund to help colleges set up pantries and meal vouchers passed the Senate Education Committee and moves to Finance. Sponsor said higher-education food insecurity affects roughly 30% of students on surveys.
Senator Massey presented Senate Bill 172, which would create a voluntary "hunger-free campus" designation and a grant fund to support campus food pantries, meal-voucher programs and other interventions to address food insecurity among higher-education students.
"Roughly 30 percent of Tennessee higher-education students report experiencing food insecurity," Senator Massey told the committee. The bill directs an administering entity to award grants to campuses that meet the program’s criteria — for example, creation or expansion of food pantries, meal vouchers and campus-specific mitigation strategies. Massey said the statute intentionally leaves the allowable uses broad so each campus can tailor solutions.
The committee recorded no amendments and voted to move the bill to the Finance Committee. Supporters cited local campus coalitions and national organizations focused on student basic needs; sponsor and witnesses said food insecurity harms academic outcomes and health and that campus-based interventions can be cost-effective.
Outcome: The measure was adopted by the committee and the sponsor was told the bill will proceed to the Finance Committee for fiscal review.
