(KNSI) — The Minnesota House is advancing a bill for universal school meals.
Representative Sydney Jordan authored the legislation to provide free breakfast and lunch to each student during school.
“Minnesota is a state that values education and wants to see every child succeed, but that is not possible when one in six students are trying to learn on an empty stomach,” said Rep. Jordan. “We know hunger is something that too many students bring with them to their classrooms, and the current status quo is letting Minnesota school children go hungry.”
This bill would replace the current state funding for school meals with a requirement that the state pays the difference between the federally determined average cost of a school meal and the actual federal reimbursement rate for that meal for all school meals served to students.
Nationally, students qualify for free meals if their family income is less than 130% of the federal poverty guidelines and for reduced price meals if family income is between 130% and 185% of the FPG. While free and reduced lunch programs already exist, Rep. Jordan says many Minnesota families make too much to qualify but not enough to make ends meet, with one in four students still considered food insecure but paying full price.
Proponents of the bill say it would help families by cutting costs as food prices increase. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in 2022, the Consumer Price Index showed food prices increased by 9.9%. Food-at-home prices (grocery store or supermarket food purchases) increased by 11.4%, while food-away-from-home prices (restaurant purchases) increased by 7.7%.
As a part of the federal government’s response to the pandemic, the USDA provided free meals to all students, regardless of income, through the end of the 2021-2022 school year. While federal support did not continue into the current school year, several states have continued funding free meals for all their students out of their state budgets.
Those opposed to the bill say it would be fiscally irresponsible to spend tax dollars where they are not needed on school meals for students who can afford them. Amendments offered included raising the income threshold to qualify for free meals, but they were voted down on a 59-70 party line vote.
The bill passed 70-58. A companion bill is currently moving through the legislative process in the Minnesota Senate.
Also passing Tuesday, emergency funding for food shelves. The House voted 129-0 to send $5 million to the Department of Human Services for food shelf programs.
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