{"id":11984,"date":"2024-11-15T06:37:15","date_gmt":"2024-11-15T12:37:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/empowermissouri.org\/?page_id=11984"},"modified":"2024-11-25T10:44:49","modified_gmt":"2024-11-25T16:44:49","slug":"expanding-free-school-meals","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/empowermissouri.org\/es\/policy-priorities\/food-security\/expanding-free-school-meals\/","title":{"rendered":"Expanding Free School Meals"},"content":{"rendered":"

The latest research from Feeding America\u2019s Map the Meal Gap<\/a> shows that an estimated 924,180 Missourians (including 254,720 children), or 15% of the total population, are food insecure. These are people and families who don\u2019t have enough to eat, lack access to nutritious food, or worry about having enough food in the house to make ends meet. <\/p>\n\n\n

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There is significant evidence that hunger negatively effects school performance, leading to more children that have to repeat a grade, receive special education services, or receive mental health counseling. The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) was established under the National School Lunch Act (NSLA), signed by President Harry Truman in 1946 after an investigation found that the poor health of men rejected for the World War ll draft was associated with poor nutrition in their childhood. Currently children are eligible for free school meals if they live in a household with an annual income at or below 130% of the federal poverty limit ($33,566 for a family of three), and eligible for reduced price meals if they live in a household with an annual income at or below 185% of the federal poverty level ($47,767 for a family of three). The #FullPlateFullPotential campaign aims to expand access to free school meals for Missouri’s public school children, with a goal of eventually providing Healthy School Meals for All!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Increasing access to free school meals will:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • Improve educational outcomes<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Improve students’ behavior, attendance, and physical and mental health<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Reduce stigma<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Reduce household food insecurity<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Reduce school meal debt and admin burden<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Every $1 invested in school meal programs provides $2 in health and economic equity benefits!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Can you help spread the word about the #FullPlateFullPotential campaign and champion Healthy School Meals for All in Missouri? Submit the form below to become a Champion for School Meals!<\/strong> You’ll receive information and resources to help you spread the word in your community and build support for the campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n \n