Colorado is one step closer to ensuring all kids can access healthy food at school regardless of their ability to pay, after Gov. Jared Polis signed Senate Bill 221 into law.

The measure creates an account for funds collected for the program, which was approved by voters in 2022, and includes revenues from ending state tax deductions for people earning $300,000 a year or more.

Nicholas Marquez, community organizer for Hunger Free Colorado, said the move is an important step for rolling out the new program in the fall.

"Healthy School Meals for All is very important, to not only the kids we're going to be able to feed, which is 60,000 or more with this program, at no cost to the families," Marquez explained. "It's also important for our local farms and ranchers that could explore a new market."

A similar free meals program installed during the pandemic saw a significant increase in the total number of students participating in school meal programs. The federally-funded program expired in September. Until the program's official rollout, families must apply for free or reduced price school meals and meet certain income requirements.

So far, 90 school districts have opted into Healthy School Meals for All, but some remain on the fence, largely due to bureaucratic hurdles to access federal dollars. Marquez noted many nonprofits are working with the Colorado Department of Education to help districts overcome those barriers.

"When it's fully implemented, the hope is that we can minimize the need for applications for free or reduced lunch," Marquez emphasized. "That has caused some confusion with some school districts."

The second year of the program will give school districts that have created a local food advisory council funding to purchase food directly from local farmers and ranchers, and Marquez is reaching out to communities across the state to help get the process underway.

"The local food purchasing piece of this program will really help stimulate rural economies," Marquez stressed. "It will help grow small and mid-sized food producers. It is also a way for us to ensure that foods in school remain minimally processed and also healthy."

Mississippi families struggling with food insecurity are bracing for another difficult summer after state officials declined millions in federal funding meant to help feed low-income children during school break.

The decision affects more than 324,000 children statewide and leaves families with fewer resources at a time when school meal programs are unavailable.

Sarah Stripp, director of socioeconomic well-being for the nonprofit Springboard Opportunities, works with families in federally subsidized housing and said the rejection of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Summer EBT program puts additional strain on struggling households.

"We know that many of our families struggle to be able to provide food for their families during the summer when they are not receiving those meals during the school year, which affects their ability to be able to do any of the things they want to do," Stripp explained. "If they're hungry, their children are hungry. That limits what they are able to do."

Gov. Tate Reeves cited a desire to reject "attempts to expand the welfare state" as the primary reason for opting out. Under the Summer EBT program, eligible families would receive $40 per month per school-aged child, amounting to $120 per child for the summer in grocery benefits.

Springboard Opportunities is stepping in to provide cash assistance to Jackson families living in federally subsidized housing but the organization can only reach a fraction of those in need. Stripp pointed out without federal aid, families are forced to redirect money from other essential expenses, such as gas and child care, to afford groceries.

"To not be willing to take federal funding that would go directly to families, that would be spent at local grocery stores, at farmers markets, to prevent summer food insecurities," Stripp observed. "To me, it's a baffling choice."

Stripp called on policymakers to listen to families' real struggles rather than rely on outdated narratives about poverty. While some school districts and community groups provide summer meal programs, many families in rural areas lack access to these resources due to transportation barriers and program limitations.


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The final deadline is approaching for members of the Texas Legislature to decide on participating in the Summer EBT program, which provides grocery benefits to low-income families with students.

The state did not participate in the program last summer.

Clarissa Clark, government relations officer for the North Texas Food Bank, said if lawmakers do not meet the March 1 deadline, they are essentially leaving federal dollars on the table.

"It's $450 million in federal taxpayer money that comes back to the state," Clark pointed out. "It helps with those who are food insecure, and it also puts money back into our economy, so there's a lot of wins to it."

To qualify for Summer EBT, families must meet the income requirements for the National School Lunch Program or be certified for school meals through SNAP or Medicaid.

The North Texas Food Bank is one of 80 organizations in the Texas Food Policy Roundtable calling for the program's implementation. The food bank could receive up to $60 million in benefits and help nearly 500,000 children in 12 north Texas counties.

Clark noted child hunger increases during the summer because students do not have access to school meals.

"The initiative provides low-income families with school-aged children, with $120 in food benefits on a debit card," Clark explained. "They can use that to buy food. If they don't get the summer meals, demand at our partner pantries goes up."

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission needs direction from the legislature to move forward with the program for Summer 2025.

Indiana farmers are helping food pantries meet rising demand for protein.

The program helping meet the moment is not new; however, it is being rebranded as Hoosier Hogs to Homes.

Jeanette Merritt, director of communications for the industry organization Indiana Pork, said the program started in 2009 and has provided one-point-six million ground pork meals to families in need.

"We launched the 'Million Meals Program' with the thought that we were encouraging our pig farmers, community members, agricultural businesses to donate either ground pork or funds to Feeding Indiana's Hungry," Merritt explained.

The nonprofit Feeding Indiana's Hungry said protein is one of the most requested items at food pantries. Families rely on ground pork because it is versatile and easy to cook. The program works to ensure food pantries can consistently provide the critical food item.

The contributions allow food pantries to buy and distribute ground pork statewide. Merritt emphasized the generosity of Indiana Pork farmers demonstrates the strong connection between farming and community well-being.

"Farmers are one of the most generous groups of people out there, and they're the last people ever to raise their hand and want to be recognized for it," Merritt contended. "We want to put the spotlight also on our pork industry about how much they give into their food pantries."

Feeding Indiana's Hungry reported food pantry lines continue to grow, and demand shows no signs of slowing. Hoosier Hogs to Homes highlights the essential role of agriculture in addressing food insecurity. The effort shines a light on the ongoing need for protein as food insecurity persists across the state.


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