Essential Policies for Promoting Child Health and Supporting Thriving Farms

In Michigan, a key goal is to boost the health, safety, and wellness of all students. Children need access to nutritious food to learn effectively. As Crystal FitzSimons from the Food Research & Action Center points out, “Hungry kids can’t learn.” School meals are just as essential as textbooks or transportation. Programs that provide breakfast and lunch help improve student attendance and overall achievement.

To support this, Michigan has expanded its school meal programs, benefiting both children and local farmers. Two important initiatives are the Michigan School Meals program, which provides free meals to all students, and 10 Cents a Meal, which encourages schools to use Michigan-grown food.

The Michigan School Meals initiative is part of the state’s Healthy School Meals for All plan. During the COVID-19 pandemic, more children could receive free meals, but after spring 2022, many had to start paying again. Consequently, the number of meals served dropped. Many families now struggle to pay, especially those with income levels that don’t qualify them for federal assistance.

To tackle these challenges, the Michigan Legislature and Governor Gretchen Whitmer have invested in universal free meals for fiscal years 2024 and 2025. This program allows all public schools to offer a free breakfast and lunch each day for students in pre-K through 12th grade. This not only eases financial strain but also helps remove the stigma associated with receiving school meals.

Since launching in the 2022-23 school year, the Michigan School Meals program has seen significant increases in participation. There’s been a 31% rise in the number of children receiving breakfast and a 25% boost in those getting lunch.

Quality is also a priority. The meals include nutritious options like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy. Moreover, the program strengthens local agriculture by partnering with farmers to supply fresh produce to schools.

The 10 Cents a Meal program grants funds to schools and child care centers to purchase locally grown foods. Jessica Gudmunson, Co-Executive Director of the National Farm to School Network, emphasizes that this not only helps children eat healthier but also supports farmers by creating new markets for their products.

Together, these programs position Michigan as one of the nine states with universal free meals. This innovative approach benefits children and supports the agricultural sector. It’s a model that other states can look to for inspiration in promoting child health and local economies.

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