California becomes first state to implement Universal Meal Program for all children

https://m.dailykos.com/stories/2022/7/16/2110188/-California-becomes-first-state-to-implement-Universal-Meal-Program-for-all-children?detail=emaildkre&pm_source=DKRE&pm_medium=email

California becomes first state to implement Universal Meal Program for all children

Jul 16, 2022 8:15am PDT by Prism Guest Writer, Prism

This article was originally published at Prism.

When Erin Primer first heard the news that California was implementing a Universal Meal Program, she didn’t think it was true. For Palmer, the director of food and nutrition services at San Luis Coastal Unified School District (SLCUSD) and a long-time advocate of universal meals, the announcement came as a colossal victory.

“It’s been something that we never thought was actually possible, especially at the beginning of the pandemic,” Primer said. “It’s allowed me to be incredibly hopeful about school food.”

On July 9, 2021, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law the Free School Meals for All Act, which pledges $650 million in ongoing funding to give about 6 million public school children in grades K-12 the option of receiving both a free breakfast and lunch every school day starting at the beginning of school year 2022-23. The bill was originally proposed by state Sen. Nancy Skinner and backed by a coalition of over 200 organizations.

The decision to implement universal free school meals is historic. Under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), students must qualify for free or reduced-price lunch based on household income level. The new bill, however, allows all children—regardless of eligibility—to receive food.

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California’s decision has already inspired Maine to follow suit, indicating a more significant shift toward greater national food equity.

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