Alta High junior David “Van” Hafner, seen here with Butler Elementary students, contributed $2,500 toward paying the school’s $6,050 lunch debt. (Photo courtesy of DJ Bracken)
Starting July 1, about 40,000 students in Utah will receive free school meals, thanks to House Bill 100, the Food Security Amendments. This legislation eliminates reduced-price lunches, making them fully free for students who previously qualified for the reduced rate.
Sponsored by state Rep. Tyler Clancy, the new legislation aims to address food insecurity and promote share tables to reduce food waste. It guarantees free school lunches for eligible students — from kindergarten through 12th grade — at any school participating in the National School Lunch Program…