According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) most recent report, 38.3 million people lived in food-insecure households in 2020. Moreover, Feeding America reported that about one in six children experienced Food Insecurity in 2021.

With rampant inflation and surging food costs nationwide, though, this number has likely increased.

But, California is fighting back against food insecurity with a groundbreaking new initiative known as the Universal Meals Program.

Beginning in the 2022-2023 School year, all school-aged children will be provided with free school meals– feeding about 6 million adolescents statewide.

The California Department of Education (CDE) explained how this new program is meant to build upon the groundwork laid by the federal National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the School Breakfast Program (SBP),

And in order to be successful, the CDE has outlined three key pillars of action.

First, the California State Meal Mandate will be expanded to include both nutritious breakfasts and lunches.

“Not just for needy children, but all children each school day,” the CDE wrote.

Then, schools with high poverty rates will be required to apply for and participate in federal provisions.

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And finally, the California State Legislature will allocate funds for state meal reimbursement.

This program has been made possible by Assembly Bill 130, a landmark in education finance legislation.

The bill was only signed into law just last year by Governor Gavin Newsom and is already proving highly beneficial.

“We commend Gov. Newsom for recognizing the importance of universal school meals and continuing to provide crucial ongoing funding to combat food insecurity so our kids can learn and thrive in the classroom,” Kathy Saile, Director of No Kid Hungry California, said in a statement.

“We know that many California children are food insecure, and if you are hungry, you cannot learn well,” underscored state Senator Nancy Skinner, a central proponent of the Universal Meals Program.

A one-time funding grant of $150 million also supported the necessary kitchen infrastructure upgrades and staff nutrition training needed to make the Universal Meals Program possible.

To learn more about the program’s scope and funding, you can visit the California Department of Education’s press release linked here.

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