Gov. Walz signs bill for free meals to all K-12 students in Minnesota.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has signed a universal school meals bill that will provide free breakfast and lunch to all K-12 students, regardless of their parents’ income. The bill is estimated to cost the state $388 million in the next two-year budget, with costs increasing after that. Schools must enroll in the federal program for free and reduced priced meals to qualify, but the state will now pick up the tab for the cost difference of covering everyone else who doesn’t qualify.

The nonprofit group Hunger Solutions Minnesota reports that one in four food-insecure children do not qualify for support under current federal programs. Last year, visits to food shelves hit a record high, exceeding the height of the pandemic in 2020. The program could be operational by summer school in July.

Governor Walz, a former teacher, believes that providing free meals for students is one of the best investments the state can make to lower costs, support working families, and care for young learners. He is grateful to the legislators and advocates who made this bill a reality and hopes it will bring Minnesota closer to becoming the best state for kids to grow up in.

California, Maine, and Colorado have already taken similar steps to provide universal school meals, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Some schools already have universal meals because they qualify for what’s known as the Community Eligibility Provision, which covers the cost for everyone when more than 62% of students are eligible for the free and reduced-price program.

Overall, the bill represents a significant step forward in ensuring that all students have access to healthy meals and can focus on their education without worrying about where their next meal will come from. The program is expected to have a positive impact on student health, academic performance, and overall well-being, and could serve as a model for other states looking to address food insecurity among school-aged children.