Universal free meals bill introduced in Tennessee

A universal free meals bill has been introduced in Tennessee.

HB 0248 would require schools in the state to serve free breakfast and lunch to all students during the school day.

After the expiration of the U.S. Department of Agriculture waivers that allowed school nutrition programs across the country to feed all students for free, many states are considering allocating funding to continue offering free school meals for all.

Lawmakers in states including South Carolina and Minnesota have also introduced universal free meals bills this legislative session.

Offering universal free meals at school has found support among school nutrition professionals and food industry leaders. The School Nutrition Association called on Congress to pass universal free meals legislation in its latest position paper, and food leaders who attended the White House's Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health last year spoke out in support of offering free meals to all students at school. 

See what states currently offer universal free meals using the map below: