School Meals for All

As co-sponsors of the Free School Meals for All Act of 2021, the Center for Ecoliteracy, along with the California Association of Food Banks, NextGen California, TomKat Ranch, and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, built a broad coalition of over 200 supporting organizations. Together, the School Meals for All coalition advocated for the following policies that Governor Newsom signed into law through the 2021–22 California budget. 

Free Breakfast and Lunch for All K-12 Students, Permanently 
This landmark investment provides $650 million annually (beginning in the 2022–2023 school year) to nourish our children and support academic success. As the first state in the nation to provide free school meals to all public school students regardless of eligibility, California is paving the way for our country to make healthy school meals a part of every child’s educational day.

The School Meals for All policy is especially important for those who fall through the cracks in the existing system: eligible families concerned that submitting required paperwork could affect their immigration status, families of four who make more than $48,470 per year and still go hungry because of the high cost of living in California, and eligible students who don’t participate because of the stigma that can be associated with free school meals. School Meals for All will reduce barriers to accessing school meals and will help ensure all students are ready to learn.

Largest Farm to School Grant Program in the Nation
$30 million for Farm to School in both the 2021 and 2022 state budgets passed in September 2021, creating the largest Farm to School grant program in the country. This investment speaks to the initial success of California’s Farm to School Incubator Grant Program, which began with $8.5 million in 2020. In addition to supporting sustainable food procurement, this funding will support projects that provide nutrition education, experiential lessons on the food system, and exposure to local agriculture and seasonal foods.

Funding to Increase Freshly Prepared Meals
$150 million in one-time funding for training and equipment to serve freshly prepared meals at school was also included in the state budget. School kitchens are historically underfunded and often not equipped to prepare fresh food. This funding will provide the proper equipment and necessary training for school nutrition professionals to serve more freshly prepared and locally-grown food.

Schools play a critical role in children’s health and we are proud to be part of California’s leadership in elevating the importance of school meals. Through our California Food for California Kids® initiative, we advance policy solutions that transform school food systems and how students learn about the food they eat. Looking forward, we are committed to supporting the successful implementation of School Meals for All, Farm to School programs, and training and equipment to serve freshly prepared meals. Combined, these investments amplify the impact of universal school meals. 

Press Coverage Featuring the California Food for California Kids® Network

New York Times: What to Know About California’s Free School Lunch Program
Featuring Stephanie Bruce of Palm Springs Unified School District and Erin Primer of San Luis Coastal Unified School District.

San Diego Union-Tribune: Student meals in California are now free—and fresh, with locally grown ingredients
Op-ed by Gary Petill of San Diego Unified School District.

CNN: California will begin permanently offering free meals to all public school students this fall
Featuring Trieste Huey of Fontana Unified School District.

Good Morning America: California Pioneers New Free Lunch Program to Feed More Than 6M Students
Featuring Erin Primer of San Luis Coastal Unified School District.

Associated Press: California Launches Largest Free School Lunch Program in US
Featuring Erin Primer of San Luis Coastal Unified School District.

EdSource: Let's make free school meals for all permanent in California
Op-ed by Stephanie Bruce of Palm Springs Unified School District and Trieste Huey of Fontana Unified School District.