Proposed Federal Cuts Threaten Free School Meals for Thousands of Michigan Students

April 9, 2025

Michigan’s public school children face potential disruptions in their access to free meals due to federal proposals. Currently, schools qualify for universal free meals if 25% of their students participate in federal aid programs like SNAP or TANF. However, congressional Republicans aim to raise this threshold to 60%, which could disqualify hundreds of schools, particularly in Black, brown, and rural communities.

Who is affected

Marginalized communities, including Black, brown, and rural populations, are at risk due to proposed changes in eligibility for free school meals
Over 850,000 Michigan children rely on school lunches
474,000 depend on school breakfasts

What action is being taken

Congressional Republicans are pushing to raise the eligibility threshold for universal free meals from 25% to 60% of students participating in federal aid programs
This change aims to reduce federal spending by $12 billion over a decade

Why it matters

The proposed policy could lead to increased food insecurity, negatively impacting student health, attendance, and academic performance
It also risks reducing federal Title I funding and state at-risk funding for districts

What’s next

Read full article from source: Michigan Chronicle