Healthy School Meals for All Is a Back-to-School Essential

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Healthy School Meals for All Is a Back-to-School Essential

By Alexis Bylander, Interim Director, Child Nutrition Programs and Policy

September 9, 2024

Back–to–school season is in full swing. Students and families across the country are meeting new teachers, adjusting to new classrooms and routines, and getting out backpacks and school supplies.

Along with pencils, markers, glue sticks and gym shoes, there is another back-to-school essential: Healthy food to fuel student achievement.

Eight states — California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, and Vermont — have passed Healthy School Meals for All policies so schools can offer all students school breakfast and lunch at no cost to families. These policies reduce childhood food insecurity, stretch family budgets, and ensure all children are hunger-free and ready to get the most out of their school day.

Unfortunately, in 42 states and the District of Columbia too many children in need are missing out because the eligibility for free meals is set so low that many families who need access to these meals cannot afford them.

The latest Household Food Security report this month by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service reveals that 47.4 million people lived in households experiencing food insecurity last year, an increase of 3.2 million compared to 2022, and 13.5 million compared to 2021.

Healthy food should not be a means-tested part of the school day, as it is just as important as textbooks and technology, and other resources that are available to all students.

Take action today.

During this back-to-school season, check out the advocacy resources that the Food Research & Action Center has available at www.FreeSchoolMealsforAll.org and ask your Members of Congress to cosponsor the Universal School Meals Program Act, which would create nationwide Healthy School Meals for All. Check to see if your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators have already signed on.

Let’s make sure everyone knows that the school nutrition programs are vital for ensuring that children have access to nutritious meals essential for academic success, and the time for Healthy School Meals for All is now.

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