The Power of Public Schools: The Transformative Impact of School Food

Research shows that reliable access to school meals helps students learn and thrive, and children who are hungry find it hard to focus and learn. A free (universal) school meal program provides school food for every student, increases participation and removes the stigma for students who receive free or reduced price meals. A free meal program provides economic relief to families, eliminates school meal debt and cuts bureaucratic red tape for districts and schools.

Universal meals also play a key role in addressing hunger for all students – including children who are immigrants and refugees and cannot participate in other social safety net food programs. As cuts to federal programs and social safety nets impact families, and food insecurity and hunger increase, access to free school meals has never been more critical.

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