September is quickly upon us and school for many elementary and secondary students in Minnesota is, or soon will be, back in classrooms. Store shelves are filled with school supplies, sports teams are at practice, and parents are busy juggling bus and carpool schedules.
One thing that parents and caregivers in Minnesota will not have to worry about this school year is what to pack for school lunch or making sure that students remember their lunch money. Working parents who leave before their children go to school don’t have to worry about breakfast, either.
Those of us who care about children (and families) who struggle with hunger can be grateful that we live in a state where school breakfast and lunch is available free of charge for all students in public and charter schools. (Legislative action signed in July 2023 provides this.) While we know that there are still struggles – evening and weekend meals might still be difficult for some families and there are college students who struggle to afford healthy meals – this is a great improvement and a model for other parts of the United States.
We can celebrate this good news in Minnesota but continue to advocate for free breakfast and lunch for all students in all states. It would be wonderful to know that all students would not have to contend with growling stomachs and could instead concentrate on learning. We want all children to grow into healthy well-educated young adults; they are our hope for the future.
Celebrate with a healthy sandwich, some veggies, and an apple yourselves today!
Vernita Kennen
Incarnation, Shoreview
