Which states have adopted universal free school meals in 2025?

The movement for universal free school meals is gaining traction across the U.S., with multiple states passing laws to provide all students with free breakfast and lunch, regardless of income. These policies aim to tackle food insecurity and improve student health and academic performance.

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While some states have already made these policies permanent, others are actively working towards universal school meal programs. Here’s an updated list of states with universal free school meals and those considering or expanding similar policies.

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States with permanent universal free school meals

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California

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California became the first state to permanently implement universal free meals statewide in the 2022-2023 school year through Assembly Bill 130 (AB 130). California’s Universal Meals Program ensures that all students in public school districts and charter schools receive free breakfast and lunch, regardless of household income or eligibility for free or reduced-price meals.

Colorado

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Colorado voters approved universal free school meals in a 2023 ballot initiative. While participation is optional for school districts, the state fully reimburses those that opt in. Colorado’s Healthy School Meals for All (HSMA) program provides free breakfast and lunch to all students, regardless of economic background. It also supports farm-to-school initiatives and increases pay for school food service workers.

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Maine

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In 2021, Maine passed the School Meals for All legislation, becoming one of the first two states, alongside California, to guarantee free breakfast and lunch for all public school students. This policy also removed the reduced-price copay, leading to a 5 million meal increase in participation during the 2022-23 school year.

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Massachusetts

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Massachusetts made its universal free school meals program permanent in August 2023 through the FY24 state budget. Funded by the Fair Share Amendment—a 4% tax on the state’s wealthiest residents approved by voters in 2022—this initiative helps combat food insecurity affecting 26% of public school children in Massachusetts.

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Michigan

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The Michigan School Meals program, passed as law in 2023, provides free breakfast and lunch to all public school students to improve student health and academic performance. Michigan Department of Education data also shows a significant rise in meal participation, with nearly 2.5 million more breakfasts and over 3.5 million more lunches served following the program's implementation.

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Minnesota

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Signed into law in 2023, Minnesota’s Free School Meals for Kids program ensures all students at participating schools receive free breakfast and lunch. In its first year, the program provided 102 million free lunches and 49 million free breakfasts, saving families an estimated $268 million.

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New Mexico

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New Mexico’s Healthy Hunger-Free Students Bill of Rights Act, signed into law in 2023, guarantees free breakfast and lunch for all students in public, charter, and participating private schools. Now a $41 million investment, the act has supported school kitchen upgrades and higher meal quality standards.

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Vermont

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Vermont established a permanent universal free school meals program through Act 64, ensuring all public school students receive free breakfast and lunch and supporting Vermont’s food system by sourcing ingredients locally.

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Despite initial opposition from the governor over funding concerns—which led to a small property tax increase—the bill became law in 2023. However, recent proposals to repeal the program have raised concerns about its future.

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States expanding or considering universal free school meals

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Several states have proposed or expanded free school meal programs, but full implementation is still in progress.

• Arizona: Increased funding of $3.8 million for free meals, but no universal policy yet.
• Connecticut: Working towards universal free school meals, with lawmakers considering a bill (SB 1217) to guarantee free meals to all students.
• Delaware: House Bill 125, a proposal to expand free school meals for eligible students, was introduced in 2023 and is under review by the House Education Committee.
• Hawaii: SB1300, a bill to expand free school meals, is still under Senate consideration.
• Illinois: Passed the "Healthy School Meals for All Program" in 2023, but is not fully implemented due to pending funding in the 2024 legislative session.
• Iowa: SF303 was introduced in 2023 to mandate universal free meals; it’s still under consideration in the Senate
• Louisiana: HB282 initially proposed universal free meals but was amended to include eligibility requirements (free for students eligible for reduced-price meals).
• Maryland: HB696 (2024) aims to make school meals free statewide, requiring $180 million in funding; if passed, would take effect in fall 2025.
• Missouri: “Missouri Universal School Meals Act” and “Missouri School Meals Act” in both the House and Senate propose funding for universal free meals.
• Montana: A bill was introduced but failed in 2023. In 2024, LC 1781 proposing free meals for eligible students was filed.
• Nebraska: Hunger-Free Schools Act proposing free school meals for Nebraskan students was reintroduced in 2023 after an earlier version was postponed.
• Nevada: Used American Rescue Plan funds for free meals but vetoed a bill to extend funding. AB268 was introduced to allocate $86 million in funding for universal school meals statewide.
• New Jersey: A 2022 bill for universal free meals failed, though eligibility expansions were enacted in 2024 through the Working Class Families Anti-Hunger Act.
• New York: Some cities offer universal free meals, but statewide legislation remains in committee. Gov. Hochul recently proposed universal free meals for all students.
• North Carolina: Bills introduced in the House and Senate aim to make free meals permanent.
• North Dakota: Universal free meal legislation failed in 2023, but a lunch debt relief bill passed. HB1475 and HB1553 both call for universal free school meals funded differently.
• Ohio: A proposal for universal school meals was not passed in the 2023 Ohio budget season. HB408, introduced in 2024, seeks to expand free meal access.
• Oklahoma: A proposal to expand income-based eligibility stalled in the Senate.
• Oregon: HB 3435 proposes universal free school meals starting in 2026-27, potentially making Oregon the next state to adopt the policy.
• Pennsylvania: Universal free breakfast is available, while full free meal expansion is under discussion.
• Rhode Island: The "Healthy School Meals for All" program is being phased in over three years, starting with elementary students and backed by bills S 0430 and H5742.
• South Carolina: Bills 147 and 425 aim to expand access; meanwhile, proposed budget cuts may reduce CEP eligibility.
• South Dakota: HB1074, aimed at expanding free meal eligibility, was rejected in 2024.
• Tennessee: A bill requiring free school meals for eligible students is under debate; multiple bills for universal meals have been introduced in the past but not passed.
• Virginia: SB283 passed in the Senate in March 2024 to expand free meals.
• Washington: HB2058 and HB1238 expanded access to free school meals, while SB5352 aims to provide universal free meals by 2026.
• Wisconsin: Assembly Bill 48 and a proposed $154.8 million investment in the "Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids" initiative aim to provide universal free school meals.

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States without universal free school meals initiatives

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While many states have introduced bills or formed coalitions in support of universal free meals, some have yet to take meaningful legislative action. These states include:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arkansas
• Florida
• Georgia
• Idaho
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Mississippi
• New Hampshire
• Texas
• Utah
• West Virginia
• Wyoming

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These states face different concerns and challenges that delay action, including budget constraints, political opposition to state-funded programs, and prioritizing other education policies. Some lawmakers also argue that expanding the existing federal free and reduced-price meal program is sufficient rather than implementing universal access.

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However, advocates continue to push for state-level reforms, emphasizing the long-term benefits of ensuring all students receive nutritious meals at school.

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The future of universal free school meals in the US

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The push for universal free school meals across the country continues to gain momentum as more states recognize its benefits. However, funding challenges and political opposition remain the biggest hurdles. Advocates and policymakers continue to push for nationwide adoption, highlighting the positive impact on student health, academic success, and overall well-being.

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While the push for universal free school meals continues, schools can already take steps to provide students with fresh, nutritious meals every day. Partnering with Ordo makes it easy for schools to serve high-quality food that supports student health and learning, at no extra cost.

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Ordo has become America's fastest-growing school food program, 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. Healthy meals result in better student outcomes, and administrators who invest in their nutrition programs invest in their schools.

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Students and parents can place their orders through their ordering app and choose from seasonal menus with 4 to 6 options daily, like Tex Mex Crunch Salad with Creamy Lime Dressing or Chicken Bacon Wrap with Pretzels, Carrots & Ranch.

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Our online platform automates compliance paperwork for reimbursable meals, tracks essential 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, where our chefs prepare food on campus.

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We have served all types of schools, from preschools and daycare centers to private and public schools. We’ve worked with some of the top brands in early education and child care, including Guidepost Montessori, Bright Horizons, Primrose, and more.

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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.