Universal Meals and Local Sourcing for Healthier Students
Nebraska has long made efforts to ensure its students have access to nutritious school meals, but there’s room to enhance these programs by taking inspiration from policies successfully implemented in other states. By focusing on universal free meals and expanding the Farm to School program, Nebraska can reduce meal debt, improve meal quality, and strengthen its agricultural ties.
Expanding Universal Free Meals with the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)
Nebraska has already made progress toward ensuring school children are fed, but universal free meals would bring greater equity and remove a significant financial burden on families. Through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), schools can offer free meals to all students, reducing stigma and eliminating the need for meal applications.
There have been many attempts at implementing free meal programs in the Nebraska Legislature, but the policies haven’t made it off the floor yet. LB 285, introduced during the 2023-2024 legislative session by Nebraska Senator Lynne Walz, would have expanded the CEP program and made school meals free for more students across Nebraska.
During the 2024 regular session, Senator Machaela Cavanaugh introduced LB 99, which she states would help mitigate the “unpaid school meal debt that is an increasing issue in many districts” (Nebraska Bill for Free School Lunches). If enacted, such legislation could make Nebraska a leader in student well-being, as schools that offer free meals have higher participation rates and fewer administrative challenges related to meal collection (USDA) (Farm to School).
A recent Center for American Progress report notes the benefits of universal school meals, emphasizing that such programs lead to better academic outcomes and reduce food insecurity for families just above the income threshold for federal programs. Providing free meals for all would not only ensure that children are better nourished but also reduce the administrative costs associated with tracking meal payments and dealing with meal debt.
Strengthening the Farm to School Program
Nebraska's Farm to School program is already making headway in sourcing local, fresh food for school cafeterias, and continued investment here can improve both nutrition and the state’s economy. The Nebraska Department of Education highlights this program as a win-win for students and farmers, providing grants and resources to school districts to purchase more local produce (Food Research & Action Center).
Additionally, LB396, introduced by Nebraska State Senator Tom Brandt, passed in 2021 and established a farm-to-school coordinator to increase the availability of Nebraska-grown foods in schools. This law ensures that local agricultural products are more easily integrated into school meal programs, fostering a greater connection between students and local farming communities. In 2022, Senator Brandt introduced another bill that expanded the program to include early childhood education programs. These efforts not only improve the quality of school meals but also boost Nebraska’s agricultural sector. In fact, increased reliance on local food can reduce meal costs, as districts can avoid purchasing more expensive, processed foods from national distributors (Farm to School).
A report by the Council of State Governments emphasized the success of this law, which has led to more state-level coordination to expand local food sourcing for school cafeterias. As more schools participate, this program could create a stronger demand for Nebraska-grown fruits, vegetables, and proteins.
Reducing School Meal Debt and Inequality
One of the significant challenges facing Nebraska schools is the accumulation of student meal debt, which impacts both students and school districts. Offering universal free meals would help alleviate this issue, as evidenced by LB99, introduced in 2023 to provide free lunch and breakfast in all public schools (School Nutrition Association). Currently, many families who do not qualify for free or reduced-price meals still struggle to afford lunches, leading to a cycle of unpaid meal debt that affects thousands of students across the state.
Studies have shown that schools offering free meals to all students significantly reduce or even eliminate meal debt, as every child is assured access to a nutritious meal without financial barriers (Farm to School). This is particularly important in rural areas, where the cost of living might prevent families from qualifying for federal aid but still leaves them struggling to make ends meet.
Emphasizing Nutrition Education and Student Engagement
Finally, Nebraska could enhance its school meal program by promoting more hands-on nutrition education through school gardens, cooking classes, and student engagement in meal planning. Other states have found that when students are involved in the process of growing or selecting the food they eat, their participation in meal programs increases, and they develop healthier lifelong eating habits. Programs like Farm to School provide a perfect platform for such education, offering grants and resources to support schools in implementing these activities (Food Research & Action Center) (USDA).
Conclusion: A Vision for a Healthier Nebraska
By expanding universal free meals through the Community Eligibility Provision, strengthening the Farm to School program, and fostering more student engagement in meal planning, Nebraska can create a school nutrition program that benefits all students. Not only would these changes reduce meal debt, but they would also ensure that Nebraska’s children receive the fresh, healthy meals they need to grow, learn, and thrive. Let’s continue working together to build a healthier future for our students and our state.
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