Michigan made school meals free for all. Students ate it up
- More Michigan students eating free meals after state adopts universal program
- Students eating daily breakfast jumped nearly 26%, while the number eating free lunch jumped nearly 20%
- Lawmakers spent $190 million on the program last year and approved another $200 million to continue it this year
More than 140,000 additional students ate school-provided lunches daily last year after Michigan's Democratic-led Legislature approved $190 million to provide free meals for all.
New data released by the state on Tuesday points to a significant jump in breakfasts and lunches at Michigan schools since adoption of the universal program, which removed income restrictions for free meals.
In the 2023-24 school year, 477,000 students ate breakfast at school daily compared to 379,000 the year before, a nearly 26% jump, according to the Michigan Department of Education.
Daily school lunches jumped by nearly 20%, according to MDE. In total, 867,000 students ate lunch daily at school compared to 723,000 the year before.
Some Republicans in the Michigan Legislature have questioned the universal meal program, arguing taxpayers should not fund free meals for students from wealthy families.
Related:
- Michigan universities lost first-year students. Decline was worse nationwide
- Dems OK $125M for Michigan school safety, mental health. GOP wanted more
- In Michigan, voters sour on school bonds. Once an easy sell, half now fail
But Democrats and public education advocacy groups contend removing income restrictions reduces the stigma associated with receiving free meals, which provide nutrition important to learning.
“Our children need to eat a healthy breakfast and lunch in order to learn,” State Superintendent Michael Rice said in a statement. “Access to nutritious meals is good for Michigan students’ health and good for their academic achievement.”
The universal program uses state funds to build on existing federal funds for school meals.
In total, the state budget provided $190 million for the universal school meal program last school year and $200 million for the program for the 2024-2025 school year.
Lawmakers instituted the universal program a year after the federal government ended a pandemic-era program that offered free school meals for all students. The state program also required participating school districts to forgive student meal debt.
Michigan is one of eight states with universal school meal programs, according to the Food Research & Action Center.
“We know that it’s easier to focus on learning in class with a full belly, and we believe that every child, no matter how much money their family has, deserves to eat,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement.
Michigan Education Watch
Michigan Education Watch is made possible by generous financial support from:
Subscribe to Michigan Health Watch
See what new members are saying about why they donated to Bridge Michigan:
- “In order for this information to be accurate and unbiased it must be underwritten by its readers, not by special interests.” - Larry S.
- “Not many other media sources report on the topics Bridge does.” - Susan B.
- “Your journalism is outstanding and rare these days.” - Mark S.
If you want to ensure the future of nonpartisan, nonprofit Michigan journalism, please become a member today. You, too, will be asked why you donated and maybe we'll feature your quote next time!