ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The Minnesota House passed a bill on Thursday guaranteeing free lunch and breakfast to all Minnesota students, regardless of income requirements set by a federal program.
"We're going to give them the tools they need to succeed in school and that means food," said Rep. Sydney Jordan, DFL-Minneapolis.
The federal government pays for free or reduced priced meals but there are income limits for who qualifies.
Jordan told reporters in a news conference ahead of the floor vote that this makes sure the plan "maximizes federal funding.".
One in four food-insecure children don't qualify for support under current federal programs, according Hunger Solutions Minnesota.
Right now, the number of students who qualify for free and reduced lunch help determine additional state funding – known as compensatory funding – that districts receive to support students in need.
(Editor's note: An earlier version of this story said that the Wayzata school district was the only one not enrolled in the national school meal program. »
