More Oregon schools to provide free meals for all students in 2024

Free Breakfast and Lunch for All Students at More Oregon Schools This Year

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Oregon’s statewide initiative for universal free school meals is gaining momentum. Starting this school year, Portland Public Schools will provide free breakfast and lunch to all 44,000 students. This move brings Oregon’s three largest school districts—Portland, Beaverton, and Salem-Keizer—into the fold. However, despite this new development, advocates aim for every district in the state to follow suit.

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A statewide effort to end hunger in schools

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The push for universal school meals in Oregon is led by the coalition School Meals for All—a diverse group including students, teachers, parents, cafeteria staff, food producers, and organizations like the Oregon Food Bank.

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The coalition is dedicated to providing all 550,000 students in Oregon with access to free, nutritious meals at school. Their efforts are grounded in the 2019 Student Success Act, which supports their mission across the state.

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What is the Student Success Act?

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Oregon’s Student Success Act allocates over $2 billion of additional funding every two years in support of various school improvements. This funding covers:

• Early learning programs and K-12 education
• State school funding
• Student investment account
• Statewide education initiatives

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According to School Meals for All, this law has helped to address child hunger and malnutrition in Oregon schools.

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Why free universal school meals matter

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Universal school meals benefit students beyond just nutrition. Access to free and nutritious meals promotes better learning, social development, and a more inclusive school environment. Additionally, a study in the American Education Research Journal shows that universal school meals reduce bullying and social stigma.

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Jacki Ward Kehrwald from Partners for a Hungry-Free Oregon emphasized that universal school meals aren’t just about addressing hunger; it’s also about breaking down the visible signs of class differences among students, teachers, and administrators.

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Looking ahead: Legislative push in 2025

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Though Oregon has made significant strides in recent years—with 71% of schools providing free meals and 90% expecting to participate in the upcoming school year—advocates believe more work is needed to achieve universal access.

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In preparation for the next round of legislative discussions, the coalition has several key proposals:

1. Universal access to free meals: All Oregon students should have fully funded, free meals.
2. Support for farm-to-school programs: School meals should be made from locally sourced produce and products to promote fresh and healthy eating.
3. Improved cafeteria infrastructure: Cafeteria equipment and infrastructure should be upgraded to handle increased demands for meals.
4. Sufficient Time to Eat: Legislation should ensure adequate eating times in school to prevent short lunch breaks that lead to food waste, unhealthy eating habits, and chaotic cafeterias.

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Advocates are hopeful that the 2025 legislative session will present an opportunity to close the gap and secure long-term funding for universal school meals.

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Support Oregon’s statewide initiatives with Ordo’s fresh school meals

At Ordo, we’re proud to support Oregon’s efforts to provide free, nutritious meals to every student across the state.

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Ordo has become the fastest-growing school food program in America, providing fresh meals made from scratch every day in our kitchens. Our chefs focus on cooking homestyle food that’s both nutritious and what students love. Students and parents can place their orders through their ordering app and choose from seasonal menus with 4 to 6 different options daily like Tex Mex Crunch Salad with Creamy Lime Dressing or Chicken Bacon Wrap with Pretzels, Carrots & Ranch. Our online platform automates compliance paperwork for reimbursable meals, tracks important metrics like daily participation rate, and handles all payment and order processing. Ordo offers both vended meal service where we deliver the food every day and onsite food service management with our chefs preparing food on campus. We have served all types of schools, from preschools and daycare centers to private and public schools.

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If you’re interested in providing fresh, healthy food for your school, you can reach out to the school partnerships team here.