Healthy School Meals for All Maryland

2023 Legislative Session

The Maryland General Assembly had the opportunity to to consider two pieces of legislation that aim to make strides toward eradicating child hunger:

NOT PASSED - HB628/SB557: Primary and Secondary Education – Breakfast and Lunch Programs – Universal Expansion

This legislation would have provided state funding for all schools participating in the federal School Breakfast and National School Lunch Program to offer school breakfast and lunch at no cost to all students.

PASSED - HB514/SB559: Education - Maryland Meals for Achievement In-Classroom Breakfast Program - Annual Appropriation

This bill fully funds Maryland Meals for Achievement, which is a long-running, state-funded breakfast program that provides eligible schools with state dollars to enable them to serve breakfast in the classroom and after the bell at no cost to all students.

The Impact:

Reduces Childhood Hunger

The School Nutrition Programs have always been a vital tool for combating childhood hunger and improving children’s health. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical role of school meals in alleviating childhood food insecurity while also demonstrating the value of offering school meals at no charge to all students.

Ensures Access to Adequate Nutrition

Not only do school meals help students to perform better academically, but they can also help students develop lifelong healthy eating habits, which lead to positive long-term health outcomes.

Removes Stigma and Cost Barriers

The two major barriers to participation in the school meal programs are cost and the stigma associated with being singled out as needing free or reduced-price meals. Creating a system in which all students can access meals at no charge eliminates both of these barriers and increases participation across the board.

Eliminates School Meal Debt

The families most likely to accrue unpaid meal fees are often the ones who are living just above the eligibility threshold for free or reduced-price school meals but are still struggling financially. Providing meals at no cost to all students frees both families and schools from the burden of school meal debt and ensures no child falls through the cracks.

Supports Schools and the School Meal Program Operations

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