Kentucky bill would provide meal reimbursement to low-income schools who source local food

A Kentucky bill aims to get more fresh food on low-income students’ plates and Connecticut and Michigan look to extend free school meal access.

Here’s the latest in school nutrition legislation.

Kentucky bill would provide meal reimbursement for low-income schools who go local

Low-income schools in Kentucky who purchase local ingredients for their school meal programs would receive a higher meal reimbursement under a new bill.

HB 189 would allow schools who participate in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) to be reimbursed $0.33 for every meal reimbursed by the CEP at the paid rate if they implement a plan to identify and purchase available agricultural products grown in the state.

A companion bill has been introduced in the Senate.

Connecticut seeks to renew expanded free school meal access

Lawmakers in Connecticut have introduced a bill that would allow the state to continue offering expanded free school meal access.

Connecticut is currently using funding from the American Rescue Plan Act to provide free breakfast to all students and free lunch to students who qualify for reduced-price meals this school year. Funding for those meals is currently set to expire this summer.

HB 5008 Would allow the state to continue offering the free meals through the next school year. The bill has been referred to the Joint Committee on Appropriations.

Michigan governor includes free school meals for all in latest state budget

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is also looking to extend free school meal access in her state.

Under her proposed FY 2025 state budget, the state would utilize $200 million to continue offering free meals at school to all public school students in the state.

Michigan began offering universal free school meals this school year due to funding included in the current state budget. The free meals are set to end this summer, however.

See which states currently offer universal free meals via the map below: