SUPPORT: Letter to Protect School Meals for All in the State Budget

Re: School Nutrition Proposals

Dear Chairman,

On behalf of No Kid Hungry California, I write in support of Governor Newsom’s January Budget proposal, which continues to fund universal access to school meals and the additional enhanced meal rate, so that students who want a meal can access two free meals daily. School Meals for All has been one important part of a comprehensive and holistic approach to address childhood hunger in California, in conjunction with other policy and budget changes such as Summer EBT, Summer Meals and Breakfast After the Bell.

Through the No Kid Hungry California campaign, we work with partners such as school districts, local government, educators, and businesses throughout the state to identify and eliminate the barriers that may prevent children and families from accessing healthy and nutritious meals. Approximately 1 in 5 children in California could face hunger this year, and school meals play a critical role in reducing food insecurity for children and California families.

As a non-profit working alongside communities as well as the other non-profits and government agencies serving them, we have seen how critical the additional state funds are to school-based anti-hunger programs. This program is particularly impactful on children whose parents and caregivers earn wages at or slightly above California’s state and local minimum wages. Many of these households would earn too much to qualify for free meals under the federal guidelines, yet the cost of living does not always allow them to make ends meet. We commend Governor Newsom for prioritizing those in greatest need during these difficult budget times by allocating state general fund dollars to ensure that all public schools will be able to provide two free meals per day to any student requesting a meal, regardless of income eligibility.

The commitment of the governor, legislature and state agencies to the successful implementation of the new federal Summer EBT program is also very much appreciated. The new program could be a game changer for families throughout the state who struggle to buy groceries during the summer months when children do not have access to school meals. This nutrition assistance will benefit families and the communities in which these families live in every part of California. The relatively small investment of state funds for administration of the program will draw significant federal dollars.

Aside from the immediate need to reduce child hunger, a body of evidence shows that receiving proper nutrition benefits child development, behavior, the ability to learn, and the creation of lifelong healthy habits. Building on California’s previous commitment to expanding access to nutritious school meals and summer meals, the proposals included in the governor’s January budget will help to ensure students have the nutrition they need to learn and thrive — a great equalizer for all students regardless of family income.

We would like to highlight two important points as the sub-committee navigates the important decisions before it. First, the need to fund Food4All (California’s Food Assistance Program) to provide benefits to children regardless of their status. Second, the potential need to increase the school-based nutrition programs funding allocated in the Governor’s January budget proposal to ensure that it meets demand. If the Sub-Committee determines that even higher allocations are necessary, we urge the Sub-Committee to approve those higher estimates, to best ensure that the needs of all public school children statewide are equally met.

Thank you for your consideration of our comments. 

Sincerely,
Kathy A. Saile
Director, No Kid Hungry California