Momentum for healthy school meals for all at no charge is building across the country.

On August 18, the anti-hunger advocates from coast to coast raised their hand to show support for school nutrition programs and urge Congress to address childhood hunger by making free school meals for all children permanent.

Since March 2020, waivers issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have allowed schools to provide meals at no charge to all students, no matter their household income. Without these waivers, the alarming spikes in childhood hunger caused by the fallout of COVID-19 would be even worse. Yet the waivers are set to end after this school year.

We can’t turn back now.

Congress must follow the lead of California and Maine, which are the first states to make these changes permanent.

As the school year swings into action, you can continue to share your photos online. Below is just a snapshot of the many people, from pupils to policymakers, who support free healthy school meals for all.

School meals are just as important as textbooks and transportation. Providing healthy school meals for all at no charge long after this school year will ensure every child has the nutrition they need for their health and learning.  Send a direct message to your Members of Congress urging them to make free, healthy school meals for all permanent.

Tweet it out now:

Continuing Healthy school meals at no charge after this school year will ensure every child has the nutrition they need for their health and learning. We’re raising our hands w/@fractweets for #SchoolMeals4All: https://p2a.co/Grkmrl6