Contact: Johanna Elsemore at jelsemore@strength.org
Annapolis, MD— Governor Wes Moore today signed SB 559, which will provide an additional $4.5 million for the Maryland Meals for Achievement In-Classroom Breakfast Program (MMFA), bringing the program’s total annual funding to $12 million. The previous $7.5 million funding level left out more than 120 eligible schools that would benefit from MMFA, and this additional investment will ensure many more schools can participate. The following is a statement from No Kid Hungry Maryland Director Ayesha Holmes:
“We applaud Governor Moore for taking bold, strategic action this session to end child hunger and poverty in our state, including this substantial investment to ensure every child can start the day fueled and ready to learn.
“The Maryland Meals for Achievement in-classroom breakfast program has a proven track record of ensuring school breakfast reaches the students who need it most. With Maryland families facing shockingly high prices at the grocery store alongside the expiration of pandemic-era benefits, this investment could not have come at a more critical time.
“We’re grateful to Senator Guzzone and Delegate Solomon for their leadership in the Maryland General Assembly to ensure every eligible school can provide students with a nutritious morning meal, and No Kid Hungry Maryland looks forward to working closely with schools across the state to make this a reality.”