State superintendent Dr. Jill Underly and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction announced they’re calling for universal free meals for students across the state.
According to a press release, Underly has included a “major” provision in her 2025-27 Biennial Budget request, totaling $294 million. That funding will go toward improving access to healthy meals for Wisconsin students by providing access to no-cost breakfast and lunches.
According to the DPI’s 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, more than a quarter of Wisconsin high school students reported being hungry due to a lack of food at home. Under the proposal, DPI would create new a supplemental nutrition aid program that offsets costs to students and families for meals received at school.
Funding would also help schools buy directly from “local food supply chains,” increase access to the School Day Milk Program, and create grants to allow schools to purchase new milk coolers.
Underly was joined by the food service director at the Kenosha Unified School District when making her announcement. Staff with KUSD prepare nearly 13,000 meals for students every day.