Rep. Driscoll Co-Sponsors Universal School Meals Bill

JANUARY 27, 2023 – Boston, MA – Representative Bill Driscoll Jr. (D-Milton) signed on to co-sponsor An Act relative to universal school meals. Presented by Representative Vargas, this legislation makes school breakfast or lunch available to all students at no charge by maximizing access to federal funds.

This legislation follows a one-year extension for the 2022-2023 school year of the national school meal program enacted during the pandemic. Last year’s extension was a $110 million investment from the state budget. Massachusetts was one of five states to extend this program, making the Commonwealth a national leader at the recent bipartisan White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. School Meals for All is one of the several solutions proposed to attempt to solve hunger in the U.S. by 2030.

The previously passed legation affords students the opportunity to flourish in the classroom and passing this bill will continue supporting students and families into the future. Studies show that in districts where breakfast and lunch are free to all students, academic performance and behavior improve and visits to the school nurse decrease. Additionally, this legislation will alleviate some of the financial burdens facing families and communities. School Meals for All saves families up to $1,200 per year, per child, while providing job opportunities in cafeterias and investing in local food providers.

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