Free meals for all: Michigan sets aside $200M so no student goes hungry at school
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LANSING, Mich. (News 10) – Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed a budget committing $200 million to guarantee free breakfast and lunch for every public school student in Michigan, regardless of income.
The funding is expected to save Michigan families approximately $1,000 per year, per child.
Nearly 250,000 students rely on school for consistent meals
According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, nearly a quarter of a million school children in Michigan rely on school as the only place to eat a consistent meal.
Detrick Pops, a parent who said he had to pay for meals at school growing up, said he welcomes the change.
“It’s gonna be a better change for everything, for all of us — as long as she can keep the program going, and I hope whoever takes over after her does the same thing, too,” Pops said.
Nutrition educator says impact reaches beyond the cafeteria
Maddison Mahar, lead nutrition educator with the South Side Community Coalition, said consistent meals are tied directly to student performance.
“If a kid isn’t eating properly or eating fruits and vegetables with protein, they’re not going to be able to energize their body to be able to attend classes or have gym or go outside,” Mahar said.
Mahar said the investment is personal.
“I’ve had experience with free and reduced lunch ever since I was a younger kid as well. To know that kids will be able to go into this school year and not have to worry about breakfast or lunch, they can just be kids. That’s really important,” Mahar said.
Mahar said the funding is especially significant in areas where access to fresh, affordable food is already a challenge.
Part of a broader $500M education investment
The $200 million commitment is part of a larger 2027 School Aid Budget that allocates more than $500 million to areas including literacy, free pre-K, and free community college. Whitmer has described it as the most significant investment in public education she has made during her time in office.
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