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Opinion | Rising gas, food prices’ unexpected victim: Michigan students
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As conflict in the Middle East continues to create uncertainty in global energy markets and families face rising costs at the gas pump and grocery store, an unexpected victim is emerging: Michigan students.
Already struggling with high food costs, many Michigan families are being squeezed by rising household expenses. Local food pantries are reporting increased demand from families with school-age children, many of whom are already working additional jobs and cutting expenses wherever possible. At the same time, anticipated changes to federal SNAP benefits could place additional pressure on household budgets in the months ahead.
Michigan families are doing what Michigan families have always done — working harder, stretching every dollar, and making difficult choices. But there comes a point when determination collides with math. As food insecurity advocates often observe, when families run out of food, it is usually because they have run out of money.
The consequences extend far beyond the dinner table.
Research shows that food insecurity greatly affects student learning. Indeed, food-insecure students are more likely to repeat a grade, achieve a lower GPA and are dramatically less likely to graduate. Food insecurity also increases absenteeism and impairs cognitive development, evidence shows.
Michigan cannot afford that outcome.
In a state working to improve educational attainment, strengthen its workforce and grow its economy, ensuring students have access to nutritious food is not simply the right thing to do — it is smart public policy.
Fortunately, Michigan has already demonstrated what effective partnership can accomplish.
In recent years, bipartisan leaders in the Legislature, the governor’s administration, state agencies, farmers, food banks and local food pantries have worked together to strengthen the state’s food security infrastructure. Rep. John Roth, R-Interlochen, deserves particular thanks for this important work. As leaders and advocates in the public education and food security sectors, we are deeply grateful for that partnership and investment.
One of the most successful examples is the Michigan Agricultural Surplus System (MASS), which uses state funding to purchase healthy, Michigan-grown food directly from Michigan farmers and distribute it through food banks and local pantries. More than 85 Michigan farmers benefit from the program while families gain access to nutritious food close to home. It has become a national model.
Today, however, rising demand and increasing costs threaten to outpace available resources.
Families are not the only ones facing math problems. Food banks are too. As food, fuel, transportation and operational costs increase, every effort to move food from farms to families becomes more expensive.
The current state budget proposal includes approximately $12 million for MASS next year. While that investment is appreciated and important, we believe the circumstances before us warrant a stronger response.
We urge the Legislature to double its investment in MASS before the budget is finalized on July 1.
Doing so would strengthen Michigan agriculture, support local communities, help food banks meet growing demand, and ensure more children and families have reliable access to nutritious food.
Michigan’s future will not be determined by the challenges we face, but by how we respond to them. MASS is a proven solution that works for farmers, families, and communities alike.
If we can do more, we can do better — and there is no better investment than ensuring Michigan students have the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.
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