Healthy School Meals for All Maryland

The Impact of Healthy School Meals for All

Reduce Childhood Hunger

Promote Health and Nutrition

The School Nutrition Programs are the nation's first line of defense against childhood hunger and food insecurity, providing hundreds of thousands of Maryland students with the fuel they need to grow and thrive.

Promote Health and Nutrition

Participation in the school meal programs help students develop lifelong healthy eating habits, which lead to positive long-term health outcomes.

Boost Academic Achievement

Promote Health and Nutrition

Remove Stigma and Cost Barriers

Support Schools and School Meal Programs

Remove Stigma and Cost Barriers

Providing meals at no charge to all students regardless of family income removes the stigma around economic status and household circumstances that too often prevents students from participating in the program.

Eliminate School Meal Debt

Support Schools and School Meal Programs

Families who struggle financially but do not qualify for free or reduced-price meals under the current system often end up accruing school meal debt. Providing meals at no cost regardless of household income frees both families and schools from this burden.

Support Schools and School Meal Programs

By reducing the time needed to be spent collecting unpaid meal fees, school nutrition resources are freed up to be reinvested in the program, such as by updating menu options or investing in local farm to school programs.

Opportunities for Legislation

Since 2022, the Maryland General Assembly had the opportunity to consider legislation aimed at making Healthy School Meals for All a reality in Maryland. However, despite the growing need for this additional support, Maryland has yet to move forward with providing school meals at no cost to all students.

Join the Healthy School Meals for All Coalition and help make school meals a priority for 2025! Now is the time to invest in Maryland's children, families, and future by making strides toward eradicating child hunger with Healthy School Meals for All!