Be a Voice for Hawaiʻi’s Keiki

Why School Meals Matter

Every child deserves access to nutritious meals at school, regardless of their family’s income. Free and reduced-price programs exist, but they are not enough. The legislature’s current proposal, Senate Bill (SB) 1300 is a crucial step toward expanding free school meal access to more Hawai‘i students by increasing the income eligibility threshold to 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). This expansion will support working families who struggle to afford school meals but do not currently qualify for assistance.

School meals are a fundamental part of a student’s education and well-being. Studies show that proper nutrition improves attendance, behavior, and academic performance. However, in Hawai‘i, three in 10 households with children experience food insecurity, and too many students go without meals because their families do not qualify for free or reduced-price lunch under the current guidelines.

The current proposal seeks to close this gap, ensuring that more students receive the nutrition they need to thrive in the classroom and beyond. While this bill is a significant step forward, the fight is not over. We will continue to urge our legislators to consider a long-term path toward universal free school meals for all students by the 2027-2028 school year, ensuring that no child ever has to go hungry at school again.

The Case for Universal Free School Meals  

1. Eliminate social stigma
   Hawaiʻi still allows schools to deny meals to students who have a negative meal balance, making students not only hungry, but also ashamed. UFSM creates a more inclusive and supportive school environment.

2. Improve academic performance
   Studies of UFSM in other states have shown large test score improvements and improved academic performance.

3. Support ALICE families
   UFSM supports ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households in Hawaiʻi struggling to stretch their budgets. It makes sure that every child has access to nutritious meals regardless of ability to pay

4. Improve nutrition & reduce food insecurity
   For many students, school breakfast and lunch are the only full, balanced meals they receive a day. UFSM is a proven strategy to improve nutrition and food insecurity.

5. Support locally grown food
   UFSM supports Farm-to-School initiatives and local farmers by incorporating fresh, locally grown produce into school meals. This provides students with healthier, more sustainable food options.

6. Strict eligibility thresholds
   A family of four must make under $47,000 per year to qualify for free meals, while the cost of living in Hawaiʻi for that same family is estimated at $107,000. This means that 2 out of 3 struggling Hawai’i households still have to pay for school meals.

7. Missed school meal applications
   A national study found that 34% of students who were denied free or reduced-price meals were actually eligible to receive them. Language barriers, problems providing income records, and fear of disclosing information can prevent families from completing or accurately completing the school meal application.

8. When parents can’t pay, teachers end up footing the bill
   Many teachers in Hawaiʻi have reported using money from their own paychecks to keep a supply of snacks on hand for when students come to school hungry.