LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – Michigan’s Department of Education (MDE) says since the start of Michigan School Meals in 2023, there are over 115,000 more children eating breakfast and over 177,000 more children eating lunch every day. Reducing hunger and allowing more time spent in the classroom learning but that could all change due to federally proposed changes to eligibility that could see many of those students going without.
RELATED: Free breakfast and lunch will continue in Michigan schools
“When kids aren’t eating consistently their ability to pay attention, to learn is diminished,” said Sarah Eichberger, Public Health Nutritionist at Michigan State University.
Currently, Michigan schools must show that 25% of their students are enrolled in other aid programs like SNAP benefits (food stamps) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) to qualify for community eligibility. House Republicans want to raise that requirement to 60%.
“That would mean less students would be eligible to benefit from accessing free school breakfast and lunch,” said Eichberger.
She says changing the requirement would leave food service staff tied up with paperwork given only 10 days to approve or deny a family free or reduced meals. With some families avoiding the new application process altogether.
“Stigma is one of the leading issues and experiences these families and folks are experiencing and potentially reducing their likelihood of even following through and receiving that support,” said Eichberger.
In an email to News 10, MDE says free meals have shown some of the greatest increases in participation among middle and high school students. The department also says federal funds cover 75% of the cost of the program. Without that funding, the state would need to invest around $138 million to keep it going.
“We’re not asking families and kids to buy their books or their laptops. We see school meals as just as essential as a lot of those tools that students need to learn every day,” said Eichberger.
The department says if the eligibility requirement goes to 60% over 2700 schools nearly 600,000 students would lose free school meals. Its office of nutrition services has met to create several contingency plans to work with schools if funding is lost.
The cut in funding was raised by the house budget committee chair US Rep. Jodey Arrington. According to a list shared by Arrington, the proposals would save $12 billion over a decade.
Subscribe to our News 10 newsletter and YouTube page to receive the latest local news and weather. Looking to hire people, or grow your business through advertising? Gray Digital Media is your one-stop marketing solution. Learn more.
Copyright 2025 WILX. All rights reserved.
This article was published by WTVG on 2025-04-13 18:58:00
View Original Post
