Food Fight

As States Increasingly Offer No-Cost School Meals, Advocates Urge for a National Policy

In St. Paul, Minnesota, Amber Lightfeather breathes a sigh of relief as her children head back to school post Labor Day; mealtime concerns are off the table. Beginning this academic year, Minnesota joins the ranks of states such as New Mexico, Colorado, Vermont, Michigan, and Massachusetts in offering free school breakfasts and lunches to students, regardless of their families’ income. This move builds upon similar initiatives in California and Maine, with other states contemplating equivalent policies. Congressional advocates are pushing to make free school meals a national standard.

Lightfeather, a Duluth resident and mother to four school aged children, notes that her family would have been ineligible for free or reduced price meals this year due to her and her husband’s combined earnings. Last year, they spent more than $260 per month to feed their children—aged 10, 13, 16, and 17 — school meals.

A fervent supporter of free school meals, Lightfeather took her advocacy to the state legislature last winter, testifying in favor of Minnesota’s school lunch bill. Her voice joined a chorus of students who embraced Governor Tim Walz, a former educator himself, when he enacted the legislation at a Minneapolis elementary school in March. “It wasn’t just about my children; it was about every child who could stand to gain,” Lightfeather shared, emotional about the policy’s approval.

During the height of the pandemic, a temporary federal program offered complimentary meals to all students, resulting in a surge of participation. However, when federal funding dried up in spring 2022, many states reverted to free or discounted meals solely for eligible families. This not only excluded middle income families but also stigmatized low income families, compounding the growing issue of school meal debt.

As states like Minnesota take the lead, the question remains: Will the federal government follow suit to make free school meals a right for all American children?

“Proper nourishment is fundamental to effective learning, and we’re actively eliminating the uncertainty many students face regarding their next meal,” stated Emily Honer, the Director of Nutrition Programs for the Minnesota Department of Education.

In New Mexico, a state where the intersection of poverty and educational success has been a long-standing topic, free meals have become even more accessible since the new legislation passed in March. Albuquerque Public Schools reported a dramatic increase in meal participation, with numbers swelling by 1,000 per day for both breakfast and lunch within the first week of this academic year.

Inside Lowell Elementary School’s cafeteria in Albuquerque, the atmosphere was lively this Tuesday. Rows of students sat at lunch tables, their bright blue trays laden with healthy options like vegetables, rice, and teriyaki beef. According to school secretary Lorraine Martinez, the free meals program has had a real impact. “We had children who used to experience stomach cramps or dizziness due to hunger. Those issues are now largely a thing of the past,” she noted.

Yet, the struggle for affordable meals persists in other states. Annette Nielsen, Executive Director of the Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center, pointed out that in places like New York City, the annual cost for school breakfasts and lunches could burden families with up to $1,500 per student. “Providing nutritious meals during learning hours should be a given, not a luxury,” Nielsen argued.

Despite some Republican objections, the Minnesota Legislature has earmarked over $440 million for the first two years of this initiative. Honer expressed optimism about the number of private and charter schools indicating an interest in joining the program.

Stacy Koppen, the Director of Nutrition Services for St. Paul Public Schools, highlighted the expansion within her district: “This year, 60 schools can offer universal meals, a significant rise from last year’s 40 schools eligible under a federal program.” She emphasized that students could now solely concentrate on academics without worrying about meals.

The legislation is even leveling the playing field in affluent areas like Minnetonka, in suburban Minneapolis. Superintendent David Law pointed out that prior to the pandemic, only 8% to 10% of students in his district were eligible for subsidized lunches. The new law, he said, is a game-changer for those families who couldn’t afford $20 per child per week but also didn’t qualify for aid. He also mentioned that the mandatory serving of breakfast has made part time cafeteria positions more appealing, resolving previous staffing issues and promising better meal quality.

As states forge ahead with free meal programs, the core message is clear: When children are well-fed, they’re better positioned to focus on what matters most — their education.

“Overall, this initiative is poised for a multifaceted victory,” opined David Law, the superintendent of Minnetonka schools.

In the state of New Mexico, education authorities confirmed the new law has extended free meals to an additional 3,000 students. Moreover, an added requirement for schools to upgrade their kitchen facilities means an increase in freshly prepared meals.

“There’s a discernible surge of enthusiasm and action around this issue,” said Alexis Bylander, Senior Policy Analyst for the Food Research & Action Center based in Washington, D.C. Bylander cited Connecticut as an example, where federal stimulus dollars are being deployed to provide free meals to a broader student population this academic year. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania is zeroing in on offering complimentary breakfasts, and Illinois has enacted a policy for universal free meals, albeit without allocated funding. New York City, among other locales, has already implemented its own program for universal free meals.

On the federal front, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders and U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar reintroduced legislation this past May aimed at nationalizing the free meals program. While the chances of it passing through a politically divided Congress remain slim, Bylander notes that it serves as a blueprint for future possibilities.

“The policies in eight states are commendable, but we are striving for more. What we really need is a nationwide strategy that ensures every child across the U.S. can benefit from this crucial service,” Bylander concluded.

Like what you’re reading?

Share this:
Tags:

Leave A Comment

trending topics
Contact us

Operated by : Spare Change Inc.
EIN : 46-2875392
Email : support@foodfight.news

Subscribe

By subscribing, you’ll receive timely updates, insightful articles, expert interviews, and inspiring stories
directly to your inbox.

[sibwp_form id=1]