For months, families across America have faced a vicious trifecta of rising food prices, empty grocery store shelves and the loss of vital economic assistance, such as the expanded child tax credit. A bad situation might be far worse, however, if not for school meals, which have been available to all students at no charge. But unless Congress acts, that policy will expire when this school year ends. This lifeline must be preserved, not severed.
Millions of families, particularly those further from economic opportunity, depend on school meals as a consistent source of nutritious food for children. A systematic review of 47 studies found that providing meals at no charge to all students reduces children's food insecurity, improves diet quality and boosts academic achievement. It also eases financial burdens on school food service departments, which have lost billions of dollars since 2020 and still face major staff shortages and supply chain challenges.
The above is an excerpt of a letter to the editor originally published in the Washington Post.
Media Resources & News
Visit our press room to find out who our key points of contact are, including supporting research, expertise, and multimedia assets needed for publication.