It’s simple - Delaware students can’t learn when they’re hungry.
One in six Delaware children faces hunger daily.
Leaders throughout Delaware have worked to help ensure the health and nutrition of Delaware students remain a priority – breaking down barriers to help expand school meal access. As lawmakers return to Dover, now is the time to do more.
Providing critical meals for students can help:
- Boost Student Success: Well-fed students are more attentive in class, have higher attendance and perform better academically - leading to increased graduation rates and brighter futures.
- Ease Cost-related Burdens: Expanding access to school meals can save families up to $1,200 per child per year in grocery expenses, providing a lifeline amidst rising costs of living.
- Support Working Families: Guaranteeing at least one nutritious meal a day helps Delaware families focus on work, while giving students the fuel they need to grow, learn and thrive.
Take a look and see what other states are doing to expand school meal access.
It’s time to ensure all Delaware students have access to a healthy meal every day.
South Carolina
South Carolina has Community Eligibility
Provision requirements set up to expand the
low income access to free and reduced school
meals.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has legislation in place for
universal free school breakfast only
New York
New York has Community Eligibility Provision
requirements set up to expand the low income
access to free and reduced school
meals.
Ohio
Ohio has legislation in place that pays
for the cost of reduced-price meals.
Connecticut
Connecticut has legislation in place that pays
for the cost of reduced-price meals.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island has legislation in place that pays
for the cost of reduced-price meals.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts has legislation in
place for universal school meals.
Maine
Maine has legislation in place for universal
free school meals.
Vermont
Vermont has legislation in place for universal
free school meals.
Minnesota
Minnesota has legislation in place
for universal free school meals.
North Dakota
During the 2023-24 school year, North Dakota
paid reduced-price cost for those
200% below the FPLD.
New Mexico
New Mexico has legislation in place
for free universal school meals.
Colorado
Colorado has legislation in place
for universal free school meals.
Washington
Washington has Community Eligibility
Provision requirements set up to expand
the low income access to free/reduced
school meals.
Nevada
Nevada had legislation in place for universal
free school breakfast, though it expired
in 2024.
California
California has legislation in place
for universal free school meals.
Michigan
Michigan has legislation in place
for universal free school meals.
Arizona
Arizona has temporary legislation in
place that pays for the cost of reduced-price
meals.
Delaware
Delaware has legislation in place
that pays for the cost of reduced-price
meals.
Louisiana
Louisiana has legislation in place
that pays for the cost of reduced-price
meals.
New Jersey
New Jersey has Community
Eligibility Requirements set up to
expand low income access to
free/reduced school meals.
North Carolina
North Carolina has Community
Eligibility Provision requirements set up
to expand the low income access to
free/reduced school meals.
Arkansas
Arkansas has legislation in place
that pays for the cost of reduced-price meals.
Georgia
Georgia has legislation in place
that pays for the cost of reduced-priced
meals.
School Meals In the News
A SPECIAL THANKS TO
OUR PARTNERS AND ORGANIZATIONS
Thanks to the help of organizations and associations across Delaware, we have been able to educate and advocate for school meal access.
Together, we are committed to ensuring every student in Delaware has access to school meals.
