Colorado voters approved Proposition MM, a measure that increases taxes on high-income households to fully fund free school meals for all public school children and support the SNAP program. The tax increase, impacting households earning $300,000 or more, will generate revenue to cover the costs of the free meals program, including staff raises and local food sourcing, while any surplus will support SNAP administration. This initiative follows the passage of Proposition FF in 2022, which initially established the Healthy School Meals for All Program but lacked sufficient long-term funding. The passage of Proposition MM ensures the continuation of free school meals for all children and also provides funding to help administer new SNAP requirements.
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California has enacted a new law that will be the first in the nation to phase out certain ultraprocessed foods from school meals. The legislation, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, targets foods considered a “concern” based on health risks and will be determined by the Public Health Department by June 2028. Schools must begin removing these items by 2029, with a full implementation by 2035. This effort aligns with a growing movement, supported by bipartisan support, toward making school meals more nutritious and healthier for children.
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RFK Jr.’s call for healthier school meals arrives at a critical juncture, coinciding with the Trump administration’s cancellation of the program that previously funded these meals. This creates a stark contrast, highlighting the ongoing debate surrounding nutrition in schools and the political battles surrounding it.
The irony isn’t lost on many observers. Past attempts to improve school meal nutrition, such as those championed by Michelle Obama, were met with fierce resistance from certain political factions, often framed as government overreach or an attack on personal freedom. Now, with a similar proposal emerging from a different political figure, the reaction is notably different depending on the messenger’s political affiliation.… Continue reading
In 2025, all Ukrainian schoolchildren will receive free meals daily, expanding upon the current program providing free meals to grades 1-4. This initiative, directed by President Zelenskyy, aims to ensure nutritional support for all students. The expansion follows the successful implementation of free meals for younger students, funded by a 2 billion hryvnia government allocation. Concurrently, a new education support program for children of veterans will launch in 2025.
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The USDA has finally updated rules for school meals, limiting added sugars for the first time. As a cook at a non-profit preschool, I can attest to the excessive sugar content in so-called “approved” kids’ food. It’s shocking to see the amount of added sugars in seemingly healthy options like whole grain muffins, waffles, and french toast. The labor-intensive process of incorporating fresh produce and dairy into meals is often overlooked due to the convenience and cost-efficiency of processed foods.
Improving school meals is crucial, considering the poor nutrition and low wages of cafeteria staff in many institutions. It’s disheartening to see school lunches consisting of minimal portions of subpar nutrition, such as corn dogs and chips.… Continue reading
Over 7,000 students in Georgia have been granted a sigh of relief as Arby’s Foundation stepped in to wipe out their lunch debts with a generous $1 million donation. While it’s heartwarming to see this situation resolved, it is deeply distressing that such a problem exists in the first place. As someone who has worked in education for years, I strongly believe that “lunch debt” should never be a thing.
The concept of children being penalized for their parents’ inability to pay for their lunches is nothing short of insane. These kids are at school because they have to be, and it is our responsibility to ensure that they are properly fed so they can learn and thrive.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood