Healthy School Meals for All Maryland

Opportunities for Legislation

Now is the time to support children, families, and communities by investing in Maryland's future and making Healthy School Meals for All a permanent reality in Maryland!

During the 2024 legislative session, the Maryland General Assembly has the important opportunity to make this happen by considering legislation that aims to make strides toward eradicating child hunger.

HB 696/SB 579: Primary and Secondary Education – Breakfast and Lunch Programs – Universal Expansion

This legislation would provide 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 regardless of household income.

The Impact of Healthy School Meals for All

Reduce Childhood Hunger

Remove Stigma and Cost Barriers

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

Remove Stigma and Cost Barriers

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.

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

Remove Stigma and Cost Barriers

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.