The Michigan legislature’s delay in passing the state budget for this year might put free meals for students on the chopping block.
As lawmakers continue to dispute over how to spend state dollars, public school district leaders worry that free school meals through the Michigan School Meals program might not be possible to offer without the promise of future funds.
The budget was expected to be confirmed in July. Now, school districts across the state are facing a difficult decision.
In a memo, Diane Golzynski, state deputy superintendent of business, health and library services, urged school districts across the state to continue to provide free meals at the beginning of the school year.
Golzynski said Michigan School Meals funding for free breakfast and lunch is guaranteed through Sept. 30, 2025. After that, it’s unclear how schools will be able to fund free meal programs for all students.
What to know about free school meal options
Michigan provides school meals through the Michigan School Meals program launched in the 2023-24 school year. The state allocated $200 million for the program last school year.
In the 2024-25 school year, an average of 491,042 children ate free breakfast and 887,430 ate free lunch every day in the state.
On Friday, the Michigan Department of Education released income guidelines for free and reduced-price meals and free milk through the National School Lunch, School Breakfast, Special Milk and Child and Adult Care Food Programs.
These guidelines are “critical” for families whose children attend schools that do not offer free meals to all children through Michigan School Meals, the department said in a statement.
Income guidelines to qualify for free meals through other programs
On Friday, the state released income guidelines for families to determine whether they qualify for free or reduced meals without the Michigan School Meals program. The state also listed how to apply for student meal programs if you believe you qualify.
- Annual income for a family to two to qualify for free meals or milk: $27,495
- Annual income for a family to three to qualify for free meals or milk: $34,645
- Annual income for a family to four to qualify for free meals or milk: $41,795
- Annual income for a family to five to qualify for free meals or milk: $48,945
- Annual income for a family to six to qualify for free meals or milk: $56,095
- Annual income for a family to seven to qualify for free meals or milk: $63,245
How school districts are responding
Some local school districts, like the Detroit Public Schools Community District, have other options for a free meals program. In the Detroit district, students qualify for free meals thanks to funding from federal sources, reports the Detroit Free Press.
In other districts, like Utica Public Schools, finding a way to pay for the free meals program is trickier. The district has said it will continue to provide free meals through Sept. 30, but whether it will continue after that date is not clear.
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