Why are most states holding back on free meals for school kids

Amid growing food insecurity and economic uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic, many states offered a single free school-based meal to all students for a limited time. Now that federal pandemic benefits are gone, dozens of states like Hawaii, Pennsylvania and Ohio have either introduced legislation or are considering reworking their state budgets, to keep meals - or, at least, lunches - free for all students, regardless of household income.

While free meals at school help more kids eat lunch and breakfast, it may offer only a moderate level of health and educational benefits to kids, according to a new study that examined free school meal programs across the United States. As more states consider adopting universal free school meal (UFSM) policies indefinitely, reporting on these impacts is crucial for making informed decisions about student health and education.

A closer look at the research

The study, published in JAMA, reviewed information from over 11,000 schools with universal free school meals and found that students in those are likely to eat, especially at lunchtime, compared to those without free meals for all. However, the study also found that any evidence that UFSMs may improve school attendance or lower obesity rates is not very strong. Some schools saw slight improvements in attendance, and there were indications that fewer students were overweight, but the certainty of these findings was low.

According to the USDA Economic Research Service, in states where schools didn't continue offering free meals to all students during the 2022-2023 school year - after federal benefits expired - more kids had trouble getting enough food compared to states that did keep the free meals. Specifically, 1.5% more kids were facing food shortages in the states without free school meals.

Multiple states have fully adopted UFSMs, providing free meals to all students regardless of eligibility under the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP): California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, and Vermont.

Will more states follow suit?

While public support for free school meals is there, consider reporting on why some states are not adopting universal free school meals. Implementing UFSMs requires significant funding. States might worry about the additional spending needed to provide free food to all students, which could impact budgets for other educational needs or services.

Legislators including Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) first introduced a federal bill in 2021 to implement a universal school meals program in all states. Some advocates say the bill may get some traction under a Harris-Walz administration since Gov. Tim Walz, a former elementary school educator, signed a free school lunch bill into Minnesota law.

There is also uncertainty about the broader economic effects of universal free school meals. Some states may be concerned about how these programs could affect local economies, especially if they rely on existing systems that charge for meals.

Shifting to a universal system could also involve logistical and administrative changes. Schools might need to adjust their meal preparation and distribution processes, which can be daunting and resource-intensive. One small study suggests that the food quality may decrease in schools that serve all students free food.

Despite cost and implementation challenges, UFSMs have been shown to increase participation in school meal programs, ensuring that more students receive nutritious meals, which is vital for their health and learning.

Supporters of the policy say that providing free food to all students helps reduce stigma and ensures that all children, regardless of their family's income, have access to healthy food. This can lead to better health outcomes and support educational equity. While the evidence is not strong, some studies suggest that universal free school meals can lead to slight improvements in attendance and reductions in obesity and suspension rates. This indicates that providing universal access to meals might contribute to a more positive school environment and better student performance.

Additional resources

• How Free School Meals Went Mainstream - New York Times
• Support the Universal School Meals Program Act of 2021 - Food Research and Action Center
• Universal School Meals - Campaign for Children
• States Show Us What Is Possible With Free Healthy School Meals for All Policies - Food Research and Action Center