Majority of Ohioans are in Favor of Universal Free School Meal Program, According to Poll
Source: https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/
A recent survey by the Tarrance Group Polling found that two-thirds of Ohio voters support a universal free school breakfast and lunch program for all public school children. This level of support is notable, as voters are generally hesitant to approve additional spending. The poll, conducted in May with 600 Ohio voters, was discussed during a meeting of the Ohio Legislative Children’s Caucus, which highlighted the importance of universal school meals.
John Stanford, director of Children’s Defense Fund–Ohio, emphasized that universal school meals significantly benefit students’ physical, mental, social, and educational well-being. Despite 1 in 6 children in Ohio living in hunger, a 2023 report found that over one-third of food-insecure children do not qualify for school meals. Lisa Quigley, director of Solving Hunger, stressed that no child should go hungry in a wealthy country. She also noted that schools offering universal meals often provide healthier, more nutritious food, which helps expose students to better food choices.
Cynthia Rees, Ohio’s director for the Council for a Strong America, highlighted that children’s hunger is a national security issue. A 2020 U.S. Department of Defense study found that 77% of young people aged 17-24 are ineligible for military service, with overweight being the leading disqualifier. Rees pointed out that obesity, often linked to food insecurity and lack of access to healthy food, can be a sign of malnutrition. In Ohio, 15% of children face food insecurity, with some counties reaching up to 24%. Rees advocates for universal free school meals to provide all students with nutritious food, eliminate stigma, and support future national security by improving youth health and nutrition.
Last year’s budget bill provided free school meals to any student eligible for free or reduced breakfast or lunch during the 2023-24 school year. In Ohio, students qualify for these meals if their household income is up to 185% of the federal poverty line, which is $57,720 for a family of four.
State Reps. Darnell Brewer and Ismail Mohamed introduced House Bill 408, which would require public schools to provide meals to any student who requests one. The bill also aims to prevent schools from discarding meals if a student cannot pay or owes money for previous meals. The bill has only had sponsor testimony in the House Primary and Secondary Education Committee so far.
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