School meal participation jumps in 5 states that implemented universal free meals

School meal participation has increased in five states that enacted universal free school meal policies, according to a new report by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC).

The report examined school meal participation in California, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada and Vermont from September 2022 to May 2023, the first school year each of the states implemented healthy school meals for all policies.

It found that school lunch participation increased in all five states by a total of 233,656 students or 6%, when compared to the 2018-2019 school year when schools in each of the states still charged for meals.

When looking at breakfast, participation increased in California, Maine, Massachusetts and Vermont but decreased in Nevada. However, even with Nevada’s drop in participation, collectively, breakfast participation increased by 6% in all five states during the 2022-2023 school year when compared to the 2018-2019 school year.

Increased meal participation has been a common trend among schools located in states that have enacted universal free meals for all. Operators in those states have reworked their staffing, menus and more to handle the influx of students coming through the line.

To date, nine states currently have policies in place to offer meals at no charge to all students this school year and a handful of states have active legislation that would set up their own universal free school meal programs.

The report’s authors recommend that more states follow California, Maine, Massachusetts and Vermont’s lead and enact policies to allow schools to feed all students free of charge.

“Voters and policymakers in these states agreed that our children’s health and education were top priorities. Now it’s time for Congress to act,” said Luis Guardia, president of FRAC, in a statement. “Our lawmakers must do everything in their power to allow schools to implement Healthy School Meals for All.”