Surrounded by school children, teachers, advocates and public officials, Gov. Tim Walz signed a bill into law Friday to provide breakfasts and lunches at no charge to students at participating schools.
During the signing ceremony, Walz told Minnesota parents this will ease some of the stress on them.
Students cheer as Gov. Tim Walz finishes signing the free school meals bill, on Friday, which will cost the state of Minnesota close to $400 million in the first two years and grow in price in the future.
There’s also a law in Minnesota requiring schools to provide identical meals to all students, even if their families are experiencing financial difficulties.
This bill would cover all school lunches and breakfasts, even if families don’t meet current federal USDA household income guidelines.
She spoke about experiencing food insecurity as a child and dedicated the passing of the free school lunch bill to her mother.
Students will start receiving school meals at no charge starting at the beginning of the next academic year which starts in September for most schools. »
