The House in North Dakota has slightly increased the number of students who qualify for free school lunches within House Bill 1013. Previously, students from families within 200% of the federal poverty line were eligible, but now the threshold has been raised to 225%. This means a family of four with an income of about $72,000 would now qualify for free lunches.
Advocates for free school meals had been pushing for permanent funding for these meals, but the House rejected a bill that would have allocated $140 million for this purpose. Despite questions about low participation rates in the federal school meals program, the state has budgeted $4.5 million for free lunches this session. The Together for School Meals coalition, consisting of over 75 organizations, has been advocating for funding free school meals for all students.
While the recent increase in eligibility is seen as a step in the right direction, advocates are urging the Legislature to continue working towards ensuring every child in North Dakota has access to free breakfast and lunch at school.
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