Michigan children could lose free meals if congressional Republicans cut funding for universal free meal programs in schools. Proposed changes would make it harder for schools in impoverished communities to offer free meals to all students without independently verifying family income. Republicans want to raise the requirement for schools to qualify for community eligibility from 25% to 60% of students, potentially saving $12 billion over a decade. This could impact nearly 600,000 Michigan students who currently receive free school meals. The proposed changes could also lead to schools serving lower quality, less nutritious meals. Additionally, Republicans want to reduce the time frame for income verification of families applying for free or reduced meals. This could deter families from applying, leading to decreased federal and state funding for schools. The proposed plans would also end summer feeding programs, contributing to food insecurity for households with children. Universal free school meals have been shown to improve attendance, test scores, and decrease suspensions. The cuts and changes to the federal meal program have been criticized as cruel and callous by state officials and board members. If implemented, Michigan students could face food insecurity and reduced access to nutritious meals. There is concern that families may not apply for free meals due to data security concerns and the shortened time frame for income verification. The impact of these proposed changes on school nutrition programs could be detrimental to students’ overall health and well-being.
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