Bill supporting free student meals passes through Utah legislature

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Utah lawmakers passed a bill Thursday that supporters say is a significant step toward combating student hunger in the Beehive State.

H.B. 100, otherwise known as “Food Security Amendments,” would move thousands of students who qualify for reduced-cost school meals into eligibility for free breakfasts and lunch.

According to The Policy Project, a Utah-based nonprofit organization that supported the bill, H.B. 100 secures $2.5 million from the state’s education budget to help students from families who do not qualify for federal aid like SNAP or TANF.

“These are families who we might consider to be the lower-middle class. Families where as we know since 2020, costs of a healthy meal have gone up significantly higher,” explained Rep. Tyler Clancy (R-Provo), the bill’s sponsor.

Both Rep. Clancy and The Policy Project said about one in six Utah children are hungry and need assistance with food security. The Policy Project continued, adding that student hunger leads to various negative outcomes, including higher dropout rates, struggles in the classroom, and mental health issues. The nonprofit said providing free meals significantly reduces those challenges.

“In a state with one of the best economies in the nation, it is alarming that one in six Utah children are hungry,” said Emily Bell McCormick, Founder and President of The Policy Project. “Hungry students cannot learn, and this bill helps us maximize our investments in education and curb the many long-term negative outcomes associated with child hunger.”

Proponents said the bill will also serve to help reduce food waste across the state and ensure students have sufficient time to eat.

H.B. 100 will now head to Gov. Spencer Cox for consideration. If signed, the bill will go into effect starting July 1, 2025, in time for the 2026-2027 school year.