Pennsylvania Lawmakers Consider Universal Free School Lunch Program to Combat Food Insecurity

HARRISBURG, Pa. – facing the persistent challenge of student hunger, Pennsylvania lawmakers are exploring a potential solution: a universal free school lunch program. state Rep.Emily Kinkead (D., Allegheny) is championing this initiative, reintroducing legislation designed to provide free lunch to all students, irrespective of their family’s income. This aspiring plan also aims to eliminate existing school meal debt, addressing the complex interplay of economic, health, and caregiving factors contributing to food insecurity among children. The program’s estimated cost to Pennsylvania taxpayers could reach as high as $500 million annually if federal funding is reduced.

The renewed debate follows the expiration of the U.S. department of Agriculture (USDA) pandemic-era program in june 2022, which had offered free meals to all K-12 students nationwide. While Pennsylvania maintained free breakfast at public schools, lunch costs were reinstated based on income levels. This policy shift has left many students vulnerable, particularly those from families whose incomes slightly exceed the eligibility threshold for reduced-price lunch.

The Impact of Food Insecurity on Students

Educators have observed firsthand the positive effects of providing free meals. Angela Girol,a fourth-grade teacher in suburban Pittsburgh,witnessed important improvements in her students’ well-being when they received free breakfast and lunch in 2020.

[I’ll be] standing in the hall, and they’ll come up and give you a hug, becuase they’re happy, and their tummies are full, instead of just walking by you and not looking at you, because they’re hungry, said Girol.

However, with the cessation of universal free meals, many students are once again grappling with food insecurity, possibly leading to academic struggles, disciplinary issues, and health problems. The stigma associated with free or reduced-price lunch programs also deters some families from applying for assistance,even when they are in need.

The Proposed Legislation

Rep. Kinkead emphasizes that providing free lunch to all students is a vital investment in their future.

It’s a really simple, really basic way of addressing a lot of the issues that contribute to kids not becoming triumphant adults, she told Spotlight PA.

During the 2022-23 school year, 56.6% of Pennsylvania’s public school children qualified for free or reduced-price lunch, according to the National Center for Education statistics. Kinkead estimates that her free lunch bill would cost approximately $250 million per year if federal funding levels remain consistent.However, if Congress reduces funding to the USDA’s nutrition program, the annual cost could escalate to as much as $500 million.

While Kinkead’s debt elimination bill previously passed the state House with bipartisan support, it encountered resistance in the Republican-controlled state Senate. She remains optimistic about securing GOP support during this legislative session.

It’s hard to vote against feeding kids, but it has to be brought up for a vote, she said.

The Challenges and Complexities

Currently, over half of Pennsylvania’s 3,200 public and nonprofit private schools participate in a USDA program that covers between 40% and 100% of food costs, depending on the percentage of students who qualify for free meals. For schools that do not participate, eligibility for free lunch is steadfast by annual household income, which cannot exceed 130% of the federal poverty level, or $40,560 for a family of four in 2024. Reduced-cost lunch is available to families with incomes up to 185% of the federal poverty level, or $57,720 per year.

Nicole Melia, the public policy and legislative chair for the School Nutrition Association of Pennsylvania, underscores that the current system excludes many vulnerable children.

Unless school lunch is free to all, there will always be kids whose parents earn a little too much for them to qualify, warned Melia.

Melia also notes that federal rules for free and reduced-price school meals do not account for varying costs of living across the state, creating disparities in access to nutritious food.

The Broader Impact of Universal School lunches

Research indicates that universal school lunches can improve attendance, academic performance, and children’s health. School lunches typically adhere to federal nutrition standards, limiting sugar and sodium while requiring fruits, vegetables, and grains. Conversely, food insecurity can weaken immune systems, increase emergency room visits, and lead to developmental delays, according to Daniel R.Taylor,a board member of Pennsylvania’s chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Moreover, school lunch debt can create financial hardship for families.While neither the Pennsylvania Department of Education nor the federal goverment collects data on school lunch debt,the issue is known to affect many families. Nick Marcil of the Debt Collective recalls the shame he felt as a high school student when his family relied on free lunch.

I’m sure that it is the case for so many other students across Pennsylvania, said Marcil, who was involved in the effort to cancel nearly $22,000 of meal debt in the Bristol Borough School District.

Stigma also plays a significant role. Melia recounts an incident where a student threw away a free breakfast as she was ashamed to be identified as a low-income student.

She was ashamed, said Melia. She was a free student.It was not universally accepted.

Rep. Kinkead notes that various factors, such as medical bills, immigration status, and even abuse, can contribute to food insecurity among children.

There are a lot of factors that we can’t take into account on paper, she said.

Looking Ahead

As Pennsylvania lawmakers deliberate on the universal free school lunch program, the potential benefits for students’ health, academic performance, and overall well-being are evident. By addressing the underlying causes of food insecurity and eliminating the stigma associated with free lunch, the state could foster a more equitable and supportive habitat for all students.

Girol, the fourth-grade teacher, hopes that more students will have access to nutritious meals at school.

You open up their lunch box and it’s like, all their Valentine candy and their halloween candy is in there, and it’s a Pop-Tart, she said.