Healthy School Meals for All

The Challenge

One out of seven children in Michigan experience food insecurity, and this disproportionately affects communities of color across the state. In order for students to be equipped to learn for eight hours a day, they need to be well-nourished when they are in school. 

During the pandemic, all K-12 public schools in the country were able to provide meals at no charge because federal funds ensured all students were receiving meals during the school day. Once that funding ended, individual states passed legislation, and in Michigan, for the ‘23-’24 school year, funding in the state budget was allocated to provide free school meals for all so that students are nourished and ready to learn. That funding is yet to be made permanent and there are other considerations and advocacy needed to strengthen the legislation including expanding who has access to the funding (ECE & Out of School Time), kitchen equipment, staff, etc.

The Impact

Funding for School Meals for All was passed for the ‘23-’24 school year in the Michigan budget for all K-12 schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. Two bills have been introduced (one in the Senate and one in the House), SB 500 and HB 5042, but currently the bills are at a standstill. If the two bills are not passed, then every yearly budget season, the state legislature will need to approve funding for School Meals for All (also known as Universal School Meals), which puts school districts and families in limbo. 

Securing permanent funding for the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program will provide stability to the programs and ensure that all public school students have access to meals while in school and are equipped to learn. This has broader impacts around food and economic security in communities as well, if families know that their children are being nourished at school. It also helps end the stigma with distinguishing students that are on free and reduced lunch.