MICHIGAN—Legislation advancing in the Michigan Senate would provide universal free breakfast and lunch to all public school students.
Supporters say the program helps reduce food insecurity while saving families hundreds of dollars a year. Sen. Dayna Polehanki, D-Livonia, who sponsored the bill, said making the program permanent would give parents peace of mind and could save them between $800 and $1,000 in yearly expenses per child.
“Parents like it, too, because it’s one less thing to have to concern yourself with,” Polehanki said. “I think it’s a big win for everybody, and it’s why it’s so wildly popular.”
Some lawmakers have expressed concerns about making free school meals permanent, arguing the money could instead be directed toward other education priorities, such as improving reading and math scores or increasing funding for classrooms.
Polehanki contended the program would cost less than 1% of Michigan’s school aid budget.
Backers say saving families money is just one goal of the legislation. They point to another aim: making sure no student feels singled out because they cannot afford breakfast or lunch.
Polehanki, a former high school teacher, said she saw that firsthand.
“I did see the kids who had a lunch tab that hadn’t been paid would get a paper bag lunch,” she said, “and most of the kids, I think, were too proud to even accept that lunch.”
Michigan is one of nine states offering free school meals to all public school students. Approval of the legislation would mean the program would no longer have to rely on annual budget approvals.
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This coverage was republished from Michigan Advance pursuant to a Creative Commons license.
