Certain states across the U.S. have moved to reinstate a federal program born out of the Covid-19 pandemic that guaranteed free meals for all school-going children, with the majority committing to the initiative permanently.
In the pre-pandemic era, the eligibility for free or subsidized school breakfasts and lunches hinged on the income levels of students' households. This norm underwent a drastic shift in March 2020, as the federal government broadened this policy to include all students, allowing schools to distribute meals without cost, irrespective of the income level.
Implementing this broadened policy spanned across the 2020-21 and 2021-22 academic years, with approximately 90% of school districts across the nation participating, as per data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. However, Congress refrained from extending this policy into the 2022-23 academic year.
Food Research & Action Center data reveals that nine states have now legislated the reinstatement of universal free school meals. Seven states — California, Colorado, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, and Vermont — have made the policy a permanent fixture. Meanwhile, Nevada has temporarily adopted the program for the academic year 2023-24.
The Massachusetts Legislature has also supported, passing a budget bill that would indefinitely fund a universal free-meal program. The bill is awaiting the signature of Gov. Maura Healey to be made into law.
These state laws were enacted directly responding to the discontinuation of federal free-meal waivers, focusing on students from kindergarten to grade 12. Some of these laws also cover pre-kindergarten students.
The pandemic period served as a test for the free meals initiative, and according to Crystal FitzSimons, director of school and out-of-school time programs at FRAC, the program was successful. It helped to lighten the burden on family food budgets.
A USDA report from last month revealed that a typical family with two school-going children spends around $162 per month, equating to $1,458 annually, on full-price school breakfasts and lunches. This cost exceeds the average electricity bill of $122 a month in 2021.
Inflation has played a role in increasing the cost of school meals in many districts. School districts, grappling with rising food and labor costs, have been forced to raise meal prices.
The School Nutrition Association reported that during the most recent academic year, an average K-12 student was required to pay between $1.73 and $1.80 for a full-price breakfast and between $2.75 and $3 for lunch. These prices, set by individual school districts, can significantly vary nationwide.
With the federal free-meal waivers ceasing, many households may face financial challenges, especially with the ongoing inflation driving up the cost of living, as noted by Saied Toossi, a USDA agricultural economist. School meals are a vital source of nutrition for children from "food-insecure and marginally food-secure" households.
Nearly two dozen other states are deliberating on legislation to continue the free meal program instituted during the pandemic.
For now, in the 41 states where a universal free meal policy has not been established, families must apply for free or discounted school meals, as was the practice before 2020.
A child qualifies for free meals if their household income is at or below 130% of the federal poverty level. For the 2023-24 academic year, this equates to a yearly income of $39,000 or less for a family of four. They are eligible for reduced-price meals if their household income falls between 130% and 185% of the poverty line or up to $55,500 for a family of four. Families with higher incomes must typically pay the full price for meals.
