OPINION: Access To School Lunch Has Benefits To School Participation

HARTFORD, CT — There's so much work to be done during this legislative session to make Connecticut more equitable and affordable. I've heard from so many of you experiencing the severe cost burden of increased grocery costs, skyrocketing utility bills, and in general, the rapid rising costs of living. It is my hope as your legislator that we can all work together to find sustainable and comprehensive solutions that truly offer support for you and your family.

This month, I was proud to lead the beginning of those efforts by championing legislation to ensure that every child in Connecticut will continue to have access to free school lunches for the rest of the school year. This has been a hot topic since we gaveled into the 2023 legislative session as a number of schools throughout the state would no longer be able to support free school lunch programs.

As a mom, a dietitian, and a legislator – this was so important to me. Ensuring access to proper nutrition in school is necessary and has a clear tie to supporting a child's ability to learn and thrive. Research has shown that providing universal school meals is associated with improved student diet quality. And the ability to access free meals at school provides improved food security for not only the participating child but their whole family.

There is even some evidence that suggests that school food service departments have improved budgets with universal access. Which then allows them to make improvements to the food quality and types of food and variety they can offer – further increasing options for proper nutrition for each student.

But, beyond the clear benefits to a student's physical health – access to school lunch has clear benefits to a student's participation in school. Some studies have found improved attendance among low-income students who are able to access universal school meals, and healthy school lunches are found to be associated with positive academic performance.

There are also the clear effects on a child's mental health as kids that are unable to afford school lunch can often be ostracized and experience bullying.

By utilizing $60 million of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding we were able to ensure that, at least through the remainder of this current school year, our students won't have to worry about if they will be able to have lunch and will be able to experience the clear benefits of this program. Thank you to all the kids, parents, educators, and advocates who shared your personal experience and helped this issue to rise in attention!

Rep. Jaime Foster represents District 57 (Ellington, East Windsor and part of Vernon) in the Connecticut General Assembly.