Universal Lunch initiative would mean free meals for all students, regardless of family income

Hungry kids can quickly turn into hangry students.

Rumbling stomachs can lead to classroom distraction and discipline issues, research shows, along with feelings of isolation for children whose families struggle to afford school lunches.

“Not only do we see the benefits of full bellies in academics, but it’s social, too,” said state Sen. Lindsey Williams, D-West View. “To sit and be able to share a meal with friends is the highlight of some days. To not be able to afford it, that’s trauma that you carry.”

The average cost for a hot meal in school is about $3.55 a day, according to the state Department of Education.

Williams is lobbying for a Universal Lunch Program — No Student Should Go Hungry — that would provide free school meals to all students, regardless of economic status.

The legislator, whose district includes several Alle-Kiski communities along with sections of Pittsburgh and the North Hills, is hoping to garner enough support for the bill to be included in Gov. Josh Shapiro’s upcoming budgets.

Manuel Bonder, Shapiro’s press secretary, said the governor is committed to ensuring children have the support they need to succeed in the classroom and beyond.

“The Shapiro administration will continue to explore ways to ensure kids have access to healthy meals and all of the resources that set them up for success in school — and we will continue to work with the General Assembly to support students all across the commonwealth,” Bonder said.

Williams already has the backing of many school leaders.

“Proper and good nutrition is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle and integral in learning,” New Ken-Arnold Superintendent Chris Sefcheck said. “It’s hard to learn when you’re worried about having anything to eat.”

Valley High School Principal Jon Banko said that because the district participates in the Community Eligibility Provision program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, all students receive free breakfast and lunch and have for several years.

“I would agree with the senator that having free access to both meals every day is beneficial to all students in that it removes one of many hurdles that all students face in order to be at their best every day,” Banko said.

Currently, students at the state’s public schools qualify for free meals if their family income is 130% of the poverty level. That’s $40,560 or less for a family of four, according to the state Department of Education.

For families who just miss the cutoff, the burden of inflation hits even harder, Williams said.

“The dollar just doesn’t go as far,” she said. “We see that in our students who are coming to schools hungry and in people who use the food banks.”

Leechburg Area Superintendent Dave Keibler agreed, saying inflation is impacting all walks of life.

“This proposal supports families who may be too proud to ask for help when needed,” Keibler said. “Every time you visit the grocery store, it’s evident that a dollar doesn’t go very far, and if the government can’t stop this inflation, this is a way to support families with young children.”

According to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, nearly 17% of children in Allegheny County don’t have consistent access to food. In Westmoreland County, the rate is about 15%.

Highlands Superintendent Monique Mawhinney said her district qualifies for universal meals and has offered free breakfasts and lunches at least since her arrival in 2018.

The move levels the academic playing field, she said.

“Many kids focus on what their next meal is going to be and struggle paying attention to instruction,” she said. “Eliminating this barrier will allow students to learn like the other students who don’t have to worry about getting lunch or not being able to focus because of hunger.”

Ruth Fox, CEO of the nonprofit Allegheny Family Network, supports the move toward free lunches for all. Her group advocates for families in need by providing social and educational programs in Harrison and Pittsburgh.

“The parents that we work with found free lunches (during the pandemic) to be a great relief to household budgets while raising school-aged children,” Fox said. “With the rising costs of other household bills, including transportation costs to activities, appointments and more, universal school lunches would allow parents flexibility in food costs.”

The lunch legislation, Senate Bill 180, is gaining support. It has nearly two dozen co-sponsors that include Democrats Judy Schwank from Berks County; Wayne Fontana, whose district includes Millvale, Emsworth and Scott; and Jim Brewster, whose district includes Plum, Monroeville and parts of the Mon Valley.

Sen. Jay Costa, D-Forest Hills, said residents in his district have lamented that it’s difficult to stretch their dollars, especially at the grocery store.

Costa represents Oakmont, Verona and Penn Hills, along with Pittsburgh’s eastern suburbs.

“When I talk with constituents, I hear over and over about how their hard-earned dollars don’t go as far as they used to,” he said.

Riverview Superintendent Neil English said two of the three district schools, Verner Elementary and the Junior-Senior High School, dish up free lunches through the Community Eligibility Provision program. He believes food is educational nourishment.

“When students are fed, their academic performance and social and emotional health improve,” he said.

Deer Lakes Superintendent Janell Logue-Belden said the wellness of every child begins with ensuring basic needs are met.

“Providing students school meals free of charge is a step toward ensuring their nutritional needs are met so that they get the most out of their educational experiences,” she said.

Eight states offer universal lunches: California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico and Vermont. Williams wants to see Pennsylvania among that group.

“If kids are going to be in school, everything should be provided,” she said.

In Allegheny County, about 147,000 students qualify to receive the free breakfast, while about 46,000 Westmoreland County students are eligible.

On Tuesday, Burrell School District announced it will serve free breakfasts and lunches in the new school year.

Children who attend any school within the district are eligible for one breakfast and one lunch each day at no charge, without families being bogged down with any paperwork.

“Your children will be able to participate in these meal programs without paying a fee or submitting a household application for free and reduced price meals,” food services Director Megan Mlinarcik wrote in a letter to parents.

“By providing school meals to all children at no charge, we are hoping to create a better learning environment for our students.”

Just four years ago, at the start of the pandemic, the federal government stepped in to make sure all students had access to free breakfast and lunch, whether learning in person or remotely.

School meal waivers remained through summer 2022.

Then-Gov. Tom Wolf initiated a program to keep providing free breakfasts, and Shapiro has followed suit. His 2023-24 budget included a $46.5 million increase for the Universal Free Breakfast Program, resulting in morning meals for the state’s 1.7 million public school students.

Now the focus has shifted to free lunch.