State legislators and advocates launched a renewed effort to codify permanent free school meals across the state, arguing the program has proven an essential step to addressing food insecurity.
“The passage of this bill means every kid and every public school across the Commonwealth will get two meals a day, no matter what, no questions asked,” state Rep. Andres Vargas said at a press conference Thursday morning announcing the refiled bill.
The legislation, filed by Vargas and state Sen. Sal DiDomenico, follows efforts last session to extend the pandemic-era free school meal program through this school year. Massachusetts was one of five states to continue the federal program.
With free school meals guaranteed, over 56,000 more Massachusetts students are eating school lunch today compared to 2019, said Project Bread CEO Erin McAleer.
“More than a quarter of food insecure students in Massachusetts did not qualify for free or reduced-price lunch — more than a quarter,” said Vargas. “Our previous system was leaving these students behind.”
The universally free breakfast and lunch program takes away the stigma and administrative hurdles that can prevent children from accessing school meals, advocates said.
The conference brought out health and education professionals to attest to the importance of making sure all kids are getting sufficient nutrition throughout the day.
“For these kids and many others, school meals represent the most important meal of the day,” said Awab Ali Ibrahim, a pediatrician at Mass General Brigham. … “We’ve talked about how they can provide up to 50% of your daily calories, how they can be the healthiest meal of the day.”
Research into the universal meals program over the last several years, advocates said, shows it saves families upwards of $1,200 per child per year and “improves academic and behavioral outcomes” at schools.
Universal meals serve to “level the playing field,” said Sarah Coughlin, Braintree Schools’ Nutrition Director.
Maine, California and Colorado have already passed legislation to make free school meals permanent. This year, Project Bread spokesperson Raina Searles said, they’re “optimistic” about the support in the state legislature.
Addario Miranda, a student at Innovation Academy Charter School and anti-hunger advocate, spoke to his own experience not qualifying food assistance before the Joint Committee on Education last year, McAleer said.
“He told the committee he remembers coming home hungry and wondering ‘When can I eat next? Will I be able to eat at school tomorrow?’ Or thinking at school, ‘Why is everyone able to eat besides me?'” McAleer said. “Let’s not go back to that broken system.”