Measure aims to provide relief to Hawaiʻi families, increase school attendance
Posted: January 23, 2023
State lawmakers will take up this Legislative session a proposal to provide relief to working class families by allowing keiki enrolled in Hawaiʻi’s public schools to receive free school lunches.
House Bill 540 states that regardless of a student’s eligibility for participation in the Federal National School Lunch Program, the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education shall offer one school meal to any asking student at no expense to the student each school day. Currently, a family of four must earn less than $41,496 annually to be eligible for NSL free lunches.
The measure, introduced by Rep. Scot Matayoshi (D, Kāneʻohe, Maunawili), passed its first reading Monday. You can track its progress in the Legislature here.
“During the pandemic, many families with children experienced hardship,” said Matayoshi. “We are directly supporting these families financially, providing nutritious food to our keiki to ensure they are ready to learn.”
According to the National Education Association, one out of six children in America lacks consistent access to adequate nutrition. Research supports that students’ comprehension and attendance increase when they take part in school food programs.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s school nutritional waivers made free school meals universal throughout the pandemic. The program ended June 30, 2022. Some states, like Maine and California, have enacted their own laws establishing universal free school lunches.
Matayoshi hopes Hawaiʻi can follow suit.
“During the pandemic, the DOE provided free school lunches to students, so we know they have the capacity and capability,” he said. “I have been collaborating with the DOE, U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, and the United States Department of Agriculture to increase federal subsidies for Hawaiʻi student lunches. It is my hope that the State can make up the difference to ensure school lunches are free to all public-school students.”
If the measure passes, the program could begin fall of the 2023–24 school year.