School breakfast and lunch programs have become a key source of daily nutrition for many students. As schools begin a new academic year, the connection between SNAP participation and school meal funding is drawing attention from child nutrition groups, families and school officials.
SNAP Changes Create Uncertainty for School Meal Eligibility and Funding
Many students receive free school meals automatically because their households participate in programs such as SNAP or Medicaid. A decline in participation in those programs can affect whether students qualify for free meals, according to Stateline.
The impact can also extend to schools that provide meals to all students through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). This federal program uses the percentage of students eligible for SNAP and other income-based programs to determine reimbursement levels for breakfasts and lunches.
More than a quarter of public schools currently offer universal free meals, according to Stateline. Schools with high poverty rates are expected to maintain access more easily, while districts with more mixed-income populations may face challenges if SNAP participation declines.
In Florida, Miami-Dade County Public Schools announced that it would no longer provide free meals at all of its more than 500 schools because of changes affecting federal reimbursement eligibility. The district continues to offer universal free meals in 121 schools, while students at other schools must apply individually.
In Central Kentucky, Marion County Public Schools is monitoring possible funding changes. The district currently provides free meals for all students, but nutrition director Jennifer Wheeler said lower SNAP participation could reduce federal reimbursement. According to Stateline, the district could move from receiving maximum reimbursement for about 93% of students to about 75%.
Families Rely on School Meals as Food Costs Continue to Rise
For many families, school meals help reduce financial pressure at a time when food prices remain a concern. A survey conducted by Marketing for Change for No Kid Hungry found that 83% of parents with low incomes reported being unable to buy all the food they usually would because of rising costs.
The same survey found that 70% of parents worried they would have to choose between paying bills and buying healthy food for their children, while 55% said they had reduced grocery spending.
Parents also described school meals as a source of stability. According to No Kid Hungry, 59% of surveyed parents said their child would not have enough food to eat on some school days without school meals. The survey also found that 71% said school meals reduced pressure on their family when feeding their children.
Anthony Bonner, a Tennessee parent, told Stateline that losing his monthly SNAP benefit made school meals more important for his 14-year-old son. Bonner said federal changes ended his work requirement exemption and forced his family to reduce spending on fresh foods.
Federal changes affecting SNAP are expected to continue influencing school meal programs. According to the Congressional Budget Office, provisions in Public Law 119-21 are estimated to reduce SNAP participation by millions of people over the 2025-2034 period, with changes affecting eligibility rules, work requirements and state costs. School districts are now watching how these shifts affect both families and the systems that provide meals to students.
