Maryland Hunger Solutions Makes the Case for Statewide Healthy School Meals for All

BALTIMORE- March 1, 2022 – Maryland Hunger Solutions will testify in support of Maryland House Bill 857 during the Maryland General Assembly subcommittee hearing of the House Ways and Means Committee on March 3 at 1 pm. The Education – Concentration of Poverty School Grant Program – School Lunch introduced by Delegate Kirill Reznik aims to expand access to school meals through several key provisions, including:

• Mandate state funding to be available to cover the cost of school meals for all students in Maryland through SY 2022-2023 in the event current federal waivers are not extended past this school year.
• Require the cost of providing school lunch to be covered by federal reimbursement and state funding.

The testimony will emphasize how this bill can help hundreds of thousands of Maryland students facing food insecurity. “As Marylanders continue to navigate the pandemic, healthy school meals for all Marylanders is an essential tool to help reduce childhood hunger across the state,” said Maryland Hunger Solutions director Michael J. Wilson. “We are joining with other advocates from around the state to ensure that children across Maryland have access to the healthy food they need to learn and thrive. Healthy school meals support the academic achievement and health of students. Providing students with school meals at no charge will support their long-term health outcomes and academic success.”

Healthy school meals for all is the path forward to support students, families, and school systems recovering from the pandemic and the future of our state.

Maryland Hunger Solutions encourages all Marylanders to urge the General Assembly to enact HB 857 to make strides in addressing childhood hunger across our state.

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About Maryland Hunger Solutions
Maryland Hunger Solutions works to end hunger and improve the nutrition, health, and well-being of children and families in Maryland.