Which act was signed by Truman in 1946 to address malnutrition in children?

The National School Lunch Act was signed into law by President Harry S. Truman in 1946 with the primary goal of addressing malnutrition among children, particularly in the context of providing access to nutritious meals within schools. This legislation was initiated in response to concerns about the health and well-being of children after World War II, acknowledging that a well-nourished child is better equipped to learn and thrive both academically and physically.

The act established a program to provide free or reduced-cost lunches to children from low-income families, effectively ensuring that students have access to healthy meals during the school day. This foundational legislation laid the groundwork for several child nutrition programs and highlights the importance of nutrition as a significant component of public education and child development.

In contrast, the Child Nutrition Act is aimed at broader initiatives related to child nutrition, whereas the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act includes provisions set forth much later to improve the nutritional quality of school meals. The Food Security Act, while also related to food and nutrition, focuses more broadly on agricultural production and food security issues rather than directly addressing child nutrition in schools.