The school lunch scene is heating up across the Pacific Northwest as lawmakers and advocates from Washington and Oregon ramp up efforts to expand free meal programs for students. With significant participation already recorded, attention is shifting to how to sustain and broaden access to nutritious meals for students, especially amid growing economic pressures.
Recently, Washington's enthusiasm over its free school meal program got some reassessing to do. An encouraging report came from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, which revealed nearly 800,000 students—about 70% of the state’s public school population—are now able to feast on free meals. This expansion marks a significant step forward, yet it brings fresh conversations about funding challenges.
Superintendent Chris Reykdal highlighted the unexpected turnout, asking for an additional $17.6 million annually to keep up with the increased participation rates. He pointed out, "Hungry students are more likely to have attention and behavioral issues, face academic challenges, and develop poor eating habits." These reported issues bring to light the importance of the program not only for nourishment but for academic success.
The uptick was attributed to House Bill 1238, passed recently, which mandates free meals for any student requesting breakfast or lunch at schools where at least 40% of the population is eligible for the federal free and reduced meal program. By the current school year, the program widened its reach to 30% eligibility, allowing it to serve even more students.
Numbers from the state show positive trends; the number of lunches served at schools participating in this free meal program soared by 32%, alongside a staggering 50% rise in breakfast servings compared to the previous year. For the 2024-2025 school year, 1,523 schools are expected to offer free meals, significantly up from 1,269.
Oregon isn’t sitting on the sidelines, either. State lawmakers there are gearing up to introduce legislation aimed at making school meals free for all students, hoping to close the gap where some schools—65, to be precise—still charge for meals. Democratic lawmakers, led by Rep. Courtney Neron, are advocating for this inclusive initiative, arguing it would not only eradicate the stigma often associated with free lunches but also encourage students to eat together, fostering community and support.
At Durham Elementary School, where students were seen lunching together recently, Rep. Neron remarked on the visible impacts of hunger on students. "It showed up not only in fatigue and stress," she recounted, emphasizing how universal meal access could lead to improved academic performance.
The state’s current model for providing free meals is already largely funded through federal support. The U.S. Department of Agriculture matches state funding, yielding approximately $3 for every $1 spent by the state, creating a financial incentive for lawmakers to push for expansion.
Despite much agreement on the importance of feeding students, obstacles remain for the non-participatory schools, such as lacking the necessary qualifications or unfamiliarity with the federal program. Advocates believe, though, with the state capable of covering the estimated $62 million annual price tag, it would potentially free up federal funds totaling around $417.4 million.
This proposal builds on the previous 2019 Student Success Act, which had already paved the way for broader access to meals. House Majority Leader Ben Bowman stressed the need for collaborative efforts to boost student outcomes, noting the simplicity of the premise: "Students learn best with full stomachs. We need to remain laser-focused on improving student outcomes and factors impacting their learning ability."
Growing food prices put even more pressure on families who may already be struggling. Though over 300,000 students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, participation lags at less than 50%, as many students still feel embarrassed to join the free lunch line. Advocates suggest the universal meal program could ease these concerns, strengthening student engagement and well-being.
Joining forces with well-known advocacy groups such as Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon and the Coalition of Oregon School Administrators, lawmakers are determined to advance their proposal and secure legislative support next session. Grace Fortson of Our Children Oregon, part of the coalition, conveyed optimism: "We are so close to making school meals for all, fulfilling our shared responsibility to nourish and educate children positively.”
Meanwhile, as Washington scrambles to fund its recently expanded program, the stakes are high as both states aim to fulfill the promise of accessible meals for all students, safeguarding their health and future educational success. With advocates, lawmakers, and communities converging to tackle these challenges head-on, there’s hope for long-lasting change to benefit the young minds of the Pacific Northwest.
