In June, the Michigan Legislature passed a one-year Healthy School Meals for All program, meaning all public-school students can receive breakfast and lunch at no cost for the 2023-2024 school year. Now it’s time to make that program permanent. Senate Bill 500 and House Bill 5042 would codify the program and ensure consistency and peace of mind for families, students, and schools. On September 19th, the Senate Education Committee heard testimony on SB 500, and on September 26th, the committee voted the bill out of committee without any opposition.
It's time to make your voice heard! Tell your legislators to vote yes on SB 500 and HB 5042 to ensure our kids are fed for success.
How did we get here?
In November 2022, discussions began between Governor Whitmer’s Office, the Michigan Department of Education, the state legislature, and outside groups on providing no-cost, healthy meals for all Michigan public school students.
In February 2023, the governor included $160 million for a one-year Healthy School Meals for All program in Michigan and $1 million for student meal debt elimination in her executive budget recommendation.
In March, both the state House and state Senate included $160 million in their recommendations for a Healthy School Meals for All program.