White House to Provide Free School Meals for More Kids

Food and nutrition security is an established social determinant of health. At the first White House Conference on Food, Nutrition, and Health in 50 years, the Biden Administration last week announced a goal to expand access to free school meals for 9 million more children by 2032. The White House says school meals currently provide nourishment to about 30 million children. Read more here.

In addition, the Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) recommends Healthy School Meals for All to increase participation in the U.S. National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program and reduce school absenteeism. Participation in these programs is associated with reduced food insecurity, improved nutritional quality of students’ diets, and improved academic outcomes.