New jersey seeks to expand free school lunch program

TRENTON, NJ — The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee has advanced a bill sponsored by Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz, aiming to expand the availability of free school meals. This legislation applies to public and non-public schools participating in the federal National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs.

Majority Leader Ruiz (D-Essex) emphasized the critical role of school meal programs in addressing food insecurity among students. She stated that for many students, these programs are their only reliable source of meals.

The bill, S-4055, proposes to broaden the scope of students eligible for free meals, ensuring that school breakfasts are also included under these provisions. It will also incorporate non-public schools participating in federal meal programs. The bill’s provisions are slated for implementation in the 2024-25 school year.

Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Education to review reimbursements to school districts for these programs, focusing on cost efficiency and the number of students benefiting from free meals. This assessment will guide future modifications to New Jersey’s school meal initiatives.

Following the “Working Class Families’ Anti-Hunger Act” of 2022, which expanded free lunch access to families earning up to 199% of the federal poverty level, this bill further extends eligibility to families with incomes up to 224% of the federal poverty level. For a family of four, this equates to an annual income of approximately $67,200.

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