Federal Legislation (FY 23-24)

July 24, 2023

Bills introduced in the Pennsylvania General Assembly aim to establish a Universal School Meal Fund and provide free breakfasts and lunches for all public school students. While the effort gained momentum earlier this year, it now faces challenges as the governor's budget is dominating legislative conversations.

 Full Story: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (tiered subscription model) (7/22) 

July 24, 2023

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has officially signed into law legislation providing over $4 million to offer free, nutritious breakfast and lunch to all public school students in New Mexico. The universal meals program aims to alleviate financial burdens on families and ensure students are ready to learn without hunger as a barrier.

 Full Story: KOAT-TV (Albuquerque, N.M.) (7/24) 

July 20, 2023

Minnesota has joined five other states -- California, Maine, Colorado, New Mexico and Vermont -- in passing universal school meal legislation. The measure is part of a growing national movement to ensure all students have access to nutritious meals at school, aiming to improve student health, behavior, attendance and academic performance while ending lunch shaming and reducing the stigma associated with receiving free or reduced-price meals.

 Full Story: The 19th (7/18) 

July 20, 2023

"Connecting the Dots," a new SN Plus article, spotlights Austin Independent School District's innovative Cafe Manager Development Days program, a series of six day-long experiences for the district's 114 cafeteria site managers. If you're looking for new ways to develop staff, this digital bonus article from School Nutrition magazine might just provide you the inspiration to try something new. Read the latest SN Plus. School Nutrition thanks the California Dried Fruit Coalition for its generous support in making this article available.

July 20, 2023

Senator Roger Marshall is advocating to include whole milk in federal government programs, challenging nutritional guidelines that prioritize low-fat dairy. Marshall's efforts coincide with Congress' debate over the farm bill, with the aim to increase milk consumption and benefit dairy farmers, but faces opposition and funding challenges.

Full Story: The Kansas City Star (Mo.) (tiered subscription model) (7/19) 

July 20, 2023

The Wilson County Board of Education unanimously approved a plan to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students in North Carolina's Wilson County Schools, including those enrolled at the two early college high schools, using the USDA's Community Eligibility Provision. The move ensures that all students will have access to meals without charge, promoting inclusivity and eliminating the need for free or reduced lunch applications.

 Full Story: The Wilson Times (N.C.) (7/19) 

July 20, 2023

SNA's professional development department is continuing to look for new subject matter experts (SMEs) in a variety of topics. By being an SNA SME, you're supporting your fellow SNA members by offering your knowledge to help develop webinars, courses, trainings, magazine article topics, media inquiries and more. At the same time, you'll be helping SNA diversify our pool of SMEs so we can ensure we're being as inclusive as possible and effectively sharing the voices of our diverse membership. To see the full list of SME topics and apply, fill out this interest form.

July 20, 2023

The North Dakota state Senate voted to approve funding for free school meals for students whose families earn 200% or less than the federal poverty level. The measure initially did not pass but was later added to a larger education funding bill that was approved.

 Full Story: KFYR-TV/KQCD-TV/KUMV-TV/KMOT-TV (Bismarck, N.D.) (4/28)  

July 18, 2023

A new report from the Government Accountability Office reveals schools across the country experienced difficulties procuring food through the federal Food in Schools program, resulting in last-minute menu substitutions, repeated meals and delivery delays. The GAO report highlights the lack of a systematic mechanism within the USDA to identify and address issues, potentially compromising the program's objective of providing nutritious meals to students.

 Full Story: Education Week (7/17) 

July 17, 2024

The absence of whole milk from school cafeterias is attributed to a 2010 National School Lunch Program revision that banned whole milk to reduce childhood obesity. Lobbyists for the milk industry are now advocating for its return, supported by a bipartisan House effort and studies questioning the negative health effects of whole milk.

 Full Story: KFF Health News (7/13) 

July 14, 2023

Leah Carper, a high-school English teacher and the 2022 North Carolina Teacher of the Year, advocates for federally funded free school meals for all students to eliminate stigma and ensure food security. As the state considers school meals in its upcoming budget, Carper recalls her personal experience of receiving reduced-price lunch and the humiliation she felt when her classmates discovered her financial situation.

Full Story: WUNC-FM (Chapel Hill, N.C.) (7/13)  

July 14, 2023

School nutrition directors from across Colorado attended the School Nutrition Association's national conference in search of new recipes, portable equipment, and shelf-ready milk to accommodate the district's increased meal demand. With the launch of the state's Healthy School Meals for All program, many Colorado districts are expecting to serve meals to more students, and they aim to change the perception of school lunch and provide nourishing options that appeal to students.

 Full Story: Colorado Public Radio

July 6, 2023

Michigan public schools will offer free breakfast and lunch to all students starting this fall, making it the fifth state in the US to implement a universal meals program. The initiative, called "Healthy School Meals for All," aims to address food insecurity and improve student concentration and performance, with advocates highlighting the elimination of stigma associated with receiving free and reduced lunch.

Mich. implements "Healthy School Meals for All" 

July 6, 2023

A new state law in Minnesota provides free school breakfast and lunch for all students, making permanent the universal meal service that was enabled via federal waivers during the coronavirus pandemic. The program, beginning in the fall, will be funded by the state and federal government and aims to alleviate food insecurity and ensure proper nutrition for students, with Minnesota joining a few other states in taking this step.