Meal Participation Continues to Rise in States After Two Years of Healthy School Meals for All

National Farm to School Network
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November 5, 2024

This resource presents an analysis of meal participation in four states — California, Maine, Massachusetts, and Vermont — that have implemented two full school years (SYs) of permanent Healthy School Meals for All policies. Despite declining student enrollment, all states served record numbers of reimbursable breakfasts and lunches. Over 86 million more meals were served in the second year of implementation (SY 23-24) compared to pre-pandemic levels (SY 18-19). The results found in this report clearly show the effectiveness of these policies in expanding school meal access.

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