Maryland Meals for Achievement
Maryland leads the country in ensuring that students can start the day ready to learn with the Maryland Meals for Achievement (MMFA) program. MMFA provides state funding to supplement federal meal reimbursements so that schools can offer breakfast in the classroom for all students at no charge. A school is eligible when at least 40 percent of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Participating schools enjoy significantly higher breakfast participation, improved student attendance, and improved student behavior. In the 2022-2023 school year, 581 schools are participating in MMFA, up from 485 in the 2018-2019 school year.
Though state funding for MMFA is limited, all eligible schools can and should apply.
Maryland Hunger Solutions continues to advocate for increased funding for the Maryland Meals for Achievement program and improvements to the program, such as the Maryland Meals for Achievement for Teens Act of 2017, which expands access to MMFA in middle and high schools and allows a one-year grace period for schools that are participating in the program but fall below 40 percent free and reduced-price eligibility threshold.
