The state laws are a direct response to the end of the federal free-meal waivers, experts said. The policies affect K-12 students, though some extend to prekindergarten, too, they said."The pandemic was a trial run and it worked," Crystal FitzSimons, FRAC's director of school and out-of-school time programs, said of the universal free school meals.
During the most recent school year, the typical K-12 student paid between $1.73 and $1.80 for a full-price breakfast and between $2.75 and $3 for lunch,to the School Nutrition Association. The price range reflects the different costs for elementary, middle and high school students. The expiration of federal free-meal waivers for all students may potentially contribute"to the financial hardship of some households" at a time when inflation has led to an increase in the cost of living,Kids from"food-insecure and marginally food-secure" households are more likely to eat school meals, according to the USDA.Nearly two dozen other state legislatures are working to pass bills to extend the pandemic-era relief, according to FRAC.