COLUMBUS — The Ohio State Board of Education announced the resolution to recommend the use of ARPA funds to provide free meals to students. The Hunger-Free Schools Coalition commended the Ohio State Board of Education for passing the resolution. In the 2021-2022 school year, reportedly 90,443,684 breakfast meals were served to children under free waivers in Ohio. The number of free meals provided was higher than pre-COVID. The previous waiver for students expired in June.
The States of California, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, and Vermont have passed legislation to provide free meals to all students.
“Providing healthy school meals at no cost for every student in Ohio-regardless of income is a critical investment in improving the health and well-being of Ohio’s students,” said Katherine Ungar, Senior Policy Associate with the Children’s Defense Fund-Ohio.
