Proposed Minnesota budget includes universal free meals funding

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has included funding for universal free meals in his latest state budget proposal.

The proposal allocates $389 million in 2023-2025 and $424 million in 2026-2027 to fund the meals.

A universal free meals bill introduced in Minnesota also recently advanced through its first House committee.

The state is one of several looking at providing universal free meals to students.

New Mexico Governor Michelle Grisham recently included funding for universal free meals in her proposed state budget. Other states, such as South Carolina and Missouri, have introduced their own universal free meals legislation.