Free School Meals Plan Could Head To WA Legislature In 2023

OLYMPIA, WA — All 1.1 million K-12 students in Washington could receive school meals for free under a new proposal unveiled Thursday by Chris Reykdal, the state Superintendent of Public Instruction.

According to Reykdal's office, federal waivers that were in place during the first two years of the pandemic, extending free meals to all students, ended with the new school year, leaving a few hundred thousand students ineligible for free or reduced-price food at school.

“When students are hungry, their ability to learn and engage in school is impacted,” Reykdal said. “Quality nutrition is a key component of student success and access to meals is an important part of being at school. We have to stop expecting families to foot the bill for resources and supports that are a normal part of the school day.”

Last year, the legislature directed all eligible schools to participate in the federal Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program, which extends free meals to all students in schools where a disproportionate number of students are in poverty. Reykdal's office said the program helped expand universal free meals to more than half of Washington's student population, but left approximately 330,000 ineligible.

Reykdal's plan seeks $86 million in annual funding from the state to provide no-cost meals to the remaining students. On top of reducing financial strains for more families, the superintendent's office said providing universal coverage helps cut out administrative paperwork and deadlines and helps reduce stigma for students who need help.

“Students know when their peers can’t afford meals in our schools,” said Zachary Glenn, a 2022 graduate and former student representative to the Kennewick School Board. “When students are hungry, it makes it more difficult for them to focus on school, and it also creates a clear divide in the lunchroom of who can and can’t afford food. Universal free school meals directly addresses these issues and lets our schools provide supports for every student.”

Reykdal intends to formally submit the plan to state lawmakers and the governor for consideration during the next legislative session. If approved, universal free meals could begin as soon as the 2023-24 school year. Washington would follow other states that have implemented similar measures, including California, Vermont and Massachusetts.