SAINT PAUL, Minn. - Today, the Minnesota House passed HF 5, the Universal School Meals bill, to provide school breakfast and lunch to all Minnesota students at no cost, regardless of their family income. Rep. Larry Kraft (DFL - St. Louis Park) voted for the legislation. The bill passed on a vote of 70-58.
“Minnesotans believe our children deserve a world-class education, but academic performance suffers when students are hungry,” said Rep. Kraft “House File 5 simplifies the process of feeding children at school by eliminating the need for complex forms and refill accounts, and hopefully ends the awful stigma that comes with food shaming. We have the means to do this for all of Minnesota’s students, and I’m proud to have voted for the bill.”
The bill has garnered support from teachers, food service workers, school board members, parents, and organizations fighting hunger. The Senate’s companion bill is being passed through its committees.
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