School breakfast and lunch programs are subsidized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the state, and student co-pays based on family income. In order for students to qualify for free meals, their family's income must be at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty level. Students whose families have income between 130 percent and 185 percent of the federal poverty level are eligible for reduced-price meals. USDA requires a standard co-pay for reduced-price meals—$0.30 for breakfast and $0.40 for lunch.
For the period July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021, 130 percent of the poverty level is $34,060 for a family of four and 185 percent is $48,470. In Washington, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction reported 402,028 students, or 36 percent of public school students, qualified for free meals and 77,126 students, or 7 percent of public school students, qualified for reduced-price meals in October 2019.
In the operating budget, the Legislature has appropriated state funds for child nutrition programs, which includes eliminating breakfast co-pays for eligible public school students and lunch co-pays for eligible public school students in kindergarten through third- grade.
Beginning in the 2021-22 school year, school districts with school lunch programs must eliminate lunch co-pays for students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth-grade who qualify for reduced-price lunches. The Superintendent of Public Instruction must allocate funding for this purpose.
PRO: Hungry students do not learn as well as those who are fed. This bill eliminates co-payments for more students and is needed in this unprecedented health crisis, which has exacerbated food insecurity and increased child hunger. Hunger should not get in the way of recovery. While meals are being provided to students during COVID-19, meal participation has dropped. As schools get closer to reopening, meal programs can be reimagined and free meals can be provided to all low-income students. The $0.40 co-pay adds up and is a barrier for families. Unpaid meal debt can negatively impact students. Currently, students who qualify for reduced price lunches in kindergarten through third-grade do not have a co-pay. Eliminating co-pays for all students would provide parity and reduce confusion. This bill will help nutrition programs, which run on tight margins, continue serving healthy food.