Support Healthy School Meals for All | Rhode Island

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School Meals

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A Message From

The HSMA Steering Committee

We are pleased that the final budget passed includes funding to ensure that 6,500 children in households with incomes below 185% of the federal poverty level who currently receive reduced-priced school meals will now get those meals for free. While we had hoped to see Healthy School Meals for All passed this session, we are very grateful to Senator Cano and Representative Caldwell for their passionate advocacy this year. We look forward to working with the Governor, General Assembly, and our federal delegation next year to further advance this policy so that all public-school children will have access to free healthy school meals so they can learn and thrive.

-Healthy School Meals for All Steering Committee

About the Coalition

The Healthy School Meals for All Coalition is a group of advocates, working together to pass legislation to create a healthy school meals for all program for all Rhode Island students for the 2024—2025 school year.

Healthy School Meals for All (also known as Universal Free School Meals) is a policy that ensures all public-school students have access to breakfast and lunch at no cost as part of the school day, regardless of their household income, so they can learn and thrive.

Research shows that universal free school meals reduce food insecurity, improve nutrition and academic performance, and generate much needed revenue for school nutrition programs. School meals are an integral part of the school day and should be no different than access to textbooks, technology, busing, and health services that are provided to all students without cost.

Program Benefits

Reduces prevalence of child hunger & food insecurity

Ensures all students are well-nourished and ready to learn

Helps improve learning outcomes

Helps Improve attendance rates

Reduces stigma associated with eating school meals

Ends the problem of unpaid school meal debt

Eases administrative burden for schools

Supports school nutrition finances and operations

Reduces prevalence of child hunger & food insecurity

Ensures all students are well-nourished and ready to learn

Helps improve learning outcomes

Helps Improve attendance rates

Reduces stigma associated with eating school meals

Ends the problem of unpaid school meal debt

Eases administrative burden for schools

Supports school nutrition finances and operations

Rhode Island Supports
Healthy School Meals for All

A survey conducted by the URI Harrington School of Communications & Media asked: Do you support legislation that requires free lunches to be provided for all K-12 students attending public schools.

68% APPROVE

11% Disapprove

16% Neutral

5% Don't Know

*Rhode Island Survey Initiative, URI’s Harrington School for Communications and Media, Sept 2023.

*Rhode Island Survey Initiative, URI’s Harrington School for Communications and Media, Sept 2023.

HSMA 2024 Legislation

Legislation Introduced by Senator Cano and Representative Caldwell will ensure Health School Meals for All

House Bill No. 7400:
An Act Relating To Education -- Federal Aid

Caldwell, Batista, Stewart, Handy, McNamara, McGaw, Speakman, Kislak, Ajello, Morales

Senate Bill No. 2320:
An Act Relating To Education -- Federal Aid

Cano, Acosta, Lawson, Mack, DiMario, Valverde, Miller, Lauria, DiPalma

HSFMA Resources

How other states compare in their advocacy for free school meals

Report Underscores Success of Healthy School Meals for All Policies

Testimony in Favor of Healthy School Meals for All in Rhode Island (link to follow)

Letter of support (link to follow)

HSMA
Resources

Press Release: It’s time to prioritize children, families, and schools

How other states compare in their advocacy for free school meals

Report Underscores Success of Healthy School Meals for All Policies

In the News

Let’s Prioritize Children’s Nutrition in Rhode Island

May 17, 2024 | Boston Globe

The high cost of not providing universal free school meals

April 15, 2024 | Boston Globe

Food, not fads: Making Healthy School Meals for All permanent is key to improving public education outcomes

March 18, 2024 | Steve Ahlquist

Press Conference – Healthy School Meals for All: 3-14-2024

March 14, 2024 | CapitolTV

Advocates push to pass bill for free lunches in RI schools

March 14, 2024 | WPRI

Lawmakers push again for free school meals bill. Does it have a chance?

March 14, 2024 | Providence Journal

Will Rhode Island lawmakers acquire an appetite for free school meals this year?

March 8, 2024 | Rhode Island Current

NEARI Reveals its Wish List Including Free School Meals for All

February 6, 2024 | Providence Journal

Governor’s Plan to Offer More Free School Meals is Not Enough, Some Say

February 2, 2024 | PBN

Free School Meals Back on the Table in New Rhode Island Bill

January 31, 2024 | ABC6

Key Takeaways from RI Governor McKee’s $13.7 Billion Budget

January 18, 2024 | Boston Globe

Coalition Members

League of Women Voters of Newport County

Oasis International Providence Rhode Island

Rhode Island Association of School Business Officials

Rhode Island Coalition of Children and Families

League of Women Voters of Newport County

Oasis International Providence Rhode Island

Rhode Island Association of School Business Officials

Rhode Island Coalition of Children and Families