Hey governor: Universal free lunches nourish the future of our society

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the state of Nevada used federal COVID relief funds and waivers to provide free lunch for every K-12 student in the state — a practice that continued through the end of the 2023-2024 school year. The funding was not merely a stopgap during a crisis but a lifeline for many families who found themselves on the edge of economic hardship.

With federal funding running out, Nevada’s Democratic-controlled Legislature passed legislation in the 2023 legislative session to allocate $43 million in state funding to continue the program. However, Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo vetoed the funding citing concerns about “food waste” and a “return to normalcy.” But Nevada’s already struggling K-12 education system needs every advantage it can get, and concerns over “food waste” and “normalcy” can’t justify watching hungry children suffer physically, emotionally or academically.

Yet the push for universal free lunch has not gone away, especially as voters learn more about presumed Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz. As governor of Minnesota, Walz championed legislation that guarantees free lunch for all K-12 students in his state.

Here in Nevada, the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) allows for schools and districts in low-income areas to offer free meals to all students regardless of their family income. That program currently covers all schools in the Churchill, Clark, Mineral, and Nye county school districts, meaning that outside of those counties, families who earn little more than minimum wage may be disqualified from free or reduced lunch due to income restrictions.

As the Sun’s Hillary Davis has written about extensively, many students at these schools already face significant educational challenges as they attend schools plagued by asbestos, water damage, antiquated heating and cooling systems and disability access that is limited at best. The least we can do is ensure that each student receives a nutritious meal — especially given hunger’s effect on student outcomes.

An analysis of 47 separate studies examining the association between universal free school meals and student outcomes found access to nutritious meals is closely tied to academic performance, behavior and overall health. A study published in the journal Pediatrics found children who receive free or reduced-price meals at school perform better academically, have higher attendance rates and exhibit fewer behavioral issues compared to their peers who do not have access to such meals.

Furthermore, studies show that in schools where only some students receive free meals, those who qualify for the program may feel embarrassed or singled out. This stigma can result in some children going without meals, despite their eligibility. Universal free lunch programs remove this barrier, ensuring that every child has the same access to nutrition without the social stigma.

Current income-based qualifications also make it difficult for families whose incomes are too high to qualify for free or reduced lunch but too low to comfortably afford school meals. These families often fall into the so-called “benefits cliff,” where even a small increase in income disqualifies them from assistance programs, despite struggling to make ends meet.

In Nevada, where the cost of living has been steadily rising, a family of four with two working parents earning minimum wage qualifies for reduced rate but not free lunch. And if each parent earns a pay increase of just $2 per hour above minimum wage, the family will also lose eligibility for reduced-price or discounted lunch.

While these families may be able to make ends meet under perfectly ideal circumstances, living paycheck to paycheck leaves no room in the budget if an automobile or appliance breaks or a child gets injured or sick, let alone saving for education or retirement. When unexpected expenses arise, families can be left to make the difficult choice of whether to buy food or fix the car.

The consequences of these financial struggles extend beyond the lunch table. When children do not have access to regular, nutritious meals, their physical health, cognitive development and emotional well-being are all at risk. Hunger and malnutrition can lead to chronic health conditions, which further exacerbate educational disparities. The cycle of poverty is perpetuated as children who grow up without adequate nutrition are more likely to struggle academically and economically as adults.

Last week, Assembly Majority Leader Sandra Jauregui, D-Las Vegas, the sponsor of the 2023 bill, and Assemblywoman Shea Backus, D-Las Vegas, submitted a bill draft request that would once again propose state funds be used to provide universal free school lunches. We call on Nevadans from every corner of the state to join us in telling Lombardo that a second veto of this critical legislation is unacceptable. Lombardo might applaud hunger among schoolchildren as a sign of “normalcy” but we reject that view. We also encourage Nevadans to elect a supermajority of Democrats in both chambers of the Legislature that could override any veto offered by the governor.

Universal free lunch for K-12 students is not just an investment in our children, but in our collective future. It is an issue that transcends political and geographic boundaries. It is about ensuring that every child, regardless of socioeconomic status, has the opportunity to succeed. The empirical evidence is clear: Universal free lunch leads to better student outcomes, reduces stigma and provides much-needed relief to working-class families who are struggling to make ends meet. By investing in universal free lunch, we are not just feeding children; we are nourishing the future of our society.