Originally published with Marlene B. Schwartz in the CT Mirror on February 13, 2023.
Hunger affects one in eight children in Connecticut. We have an opportunity to change that by supporting the provision of universal school meals for all students.
The School Breakfast Program and the National School Lunch Program are available in nearly all districts and provide meals that meet strong nutrition standards. Most people know that these meals are available at no cost for low-income families. However, most people don’t know a family of four must have a pre-tax income of no more than $36,075 to qualify for free meals and no more than $51,338 to qualify for reduced-cost meals.