It wasn’t so long ago that Heather Gustafson, now a state senator in Minnesota, was juggling life as a single mom of four, striving to keep her children’s school meal accounts balanced on a modest teacher’s income. From first-hand experience, she recognized the hurdles of bureaucratic red tape and social stigma associated with applying for free or reduced-price school meals.
Fast forward to today, Gustafson, alongside Representative Sydney Jordan, has made history by sponsoring legislation that will ensure no Minnesota child goes to school hungry. The duo has brought forth a universal school meals program, guaranteeing free breakfast and lunch to every K-12 student in the state, regardless of their family’s financial status.
This pioneering program, coming into effect as of July 1, is expected to cost the state about $400 million in the initial two years. It builds on a growing national movement to ensure students have consistent access to nutritious meals without the financial burden on families. This was further catalyzed by the federal government’s provision of free meals during the pandemic, allowing states like Minnesota, California, Maine, Colorado, New Mexico, and Vermont to champion free school meal legislation.
The architects behind Minnesota’s Free School Meals Program envision a ripple effect of positive outcomes. Not only will it enhance student health and academic performance, but it will also tackle the social stigma associated with free or reduced-price meals, putting an end to the distressing practice of ‘lunch shaming’.
Rep. Jordan expressed, “Children should be focusing on their studies and building relationships with peers, not fretting over their next meal or their parents’ financial struggles.” She highlighted the significant behavioral improvements observed when children are adequately nourished.
Food insecurity, defined as inconsistent access to nutritionally adequate food, can lead to negative repercussions such as school absences, poor test scores, and behavioral issues. Particularly vulnerable are single-parent households, with nearly a quarter of households headed by single mothers facing food insecurity in 2021. Yet, even in a state where roughly 1 in 6 children are food insecure, the qualifying income for free school meals is less than 130 percent of the federal poverty line, leaving many without assistance.
Minnesota’s universal school meals program extends its benefits beyond the poverty line, assisting families with fluctuating financial circumstances or those who find the paperwork for free meals too daunting. The state has made a deliberate effort to eliminate barriers and ensure no child is refused a meal, regardless of whether their family has completed the necessary paperwork.
However, this ground-breaking legislation didn’t materialize overnight. It took years of persistent advocacy, legislative hearings, and ultimately a Democratic takeover of the legislature to secure its passage. While Minnesota’s Democrat Governor, Tim Walz, championed the policy from the start, it was the flipping of the Senate in the Democrats’ favor that ultimately gave the green light.
Crucial support also came from the Hunger-Free Schools Campaign, a coalition of more than 25 partner organizations locally and nationally, who tirelessly lobbied for the legislation. The coalition included key players such as the American Diabetes Association, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, and the Food Research and Action Center.
Now that the bill is law, universal free lunch in Minnesota schools promises to be transformative. Not only will it alleviate stress from students and families, but it will also reduce the pressure on teachers and cafeteria staff who often shoulder the emotional and logistical burdens of addressing student hunger.
The implementation of the program has already begun in Minnesota, with students attending summer school and related programs enjoying its benefits. However, the real game-changer will be seen when the school bells ring in fall 2023. Every student will start their school day with a nutritious breakfast, courtesy of the state.
Reflecting on this breakthrough, Jordan said, “There’s going to be breakfast waiting for every Minnesota student when they show up in the fall. I just think it’s going to be a happier and healthier Minnesota, and I’m really, really, really excited about it.”
As the state waits in anticipation, one cannot help but wonder: will this revolutionary legislation inspire other states to follow suit and make free meals a staple in their school system? Only time will tell, but for now, Minnesota is setting a promising precedent.
