Proposed Michigan budget includes universal free meals funding

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has earmarked funding to provide universal free meals in her proposed fiscal year 2024 budget. 

The budget includes $160 million to provide free daily breakfast and lunch to all 1.4 million public school students in the state. Officials estimate that families would save $850 annually if universal free meals went into effect. 

The governors of New Mexico and Minnesota have also included funding for universal free meals in their proposed 2024 budgets. 

After the expiration of the U.S. Department of Agriculture waivers that allowed school across the nation to offer free meals to all students during the height of the pandemic, many states have either implemented universal free meals or are considering doing so. 

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