A new bill introduced in state legislatures across the U.S. is set to provide free school lunches to students in need, expanding access to nutritious meals for children from low-income families. This legislation, which has garnered widespread support, aims to ensure that no student goes hungry during the school day, thereby supporting their academic success and overall well-being.
In Delaware, Governor John Carney recently signed House Bill 125 into law. This legislation allows students who currently qualify for reduced-price meals under federal programs to now receive their meals for free. Governor Carney emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “This will help there, it will provide students who are now getting reduced-price lunch free lunches, and that will help their families make ends meet and that’s really incredibly important.”
State Representative Sherae’a Moore, who sponsored the Delaware bill, initially sought to provide free meals to all public school students. However, due to budget constraints, the final version of the bill focuses on students who are already receiving reduced-price lunches. The program is expected to cost the state approximately $250,000 annually.