Universal School Meals Every student should have access to the same things while at school, whether it’s educational opportunities or food. As part of the federal response to the pandemic, students in Vermont have been able to eat school breakfast and lunch at no charge since March 2020. These measures are only temporary, however. At the end of the current school year, schools will lose the federal waivers providing universal school meals. Children will once again be divided into categories based on income that determine how much they must pay to receive a meal at school, and face the stigma associated with eating free meals. Permanent universal school meals will mean that students will be more ready to learn, and school administrators will have more positive relationships with students’ families. The Alliance supports Hunger Free Vermont's Universal School Meals Campaign, which is advocating that the state requires all public schools to provide universal school meals beginning in 2022, and that the costs of school meals not covered by federal funding will be paid for through the Education Fund rather than in individual school budgets. Last year the Senate passed S.100, a somewhat limited bill that would make universal school breakfast permanent. Right now the bill is in the House Education Committee. Hunger Free Vermont and partners are hopeful that the Committee will amend S. 100 to make both universal school breakfast and lunch permanent, and that the full Legislature will pass the bill this year. After nearly two and a half years of universal school meals, going back to the “old” way would be logistically challenging, costly, and bad for both children and school staff. Schools shouldn’t have to scramble to convert their school meal program back to the old, inequitable model. And students should not have meals taken away from them next school year. No child should have to learn what hunger feels like while at school. Continue reading for more information on this priority issue, including data and talking points, connections to the lead organization, and advocacy tools. | 
