- Over 280,000 Ohio children could lose free school meals due to proposed federal cuts.
- Eligibility changes in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) threaten 728 Ohio schools.
- Advocates warn of worsened food insecurity and negative impacts on health and academics.
Proposed cuts to school meal programs in Ohio could dramatically affect low-income students, potentially leaving over 280,000 children without access to free meals.
The loss of free meals could increase food insecurity among students, already worsened by the expiration of COVID-19 meal waivers. With one in six children in Ohio living in food-insecure households, advocates fear the move could worsen academic performance and health outcomes.
Rising Food Insecurity Looms Over Ohio Students
The proposed federal cuts aim to save $3 billion but could come at a great cost to students in Ohio. The elimination of free school meals would disproportionately affect children in poverty, who depend on these programs for daily nutrition. Without them, many families will face even greater difficulty putting food on the table amidst inflation and economic strain.
Advocacy groups like the Children’s Defense Fund-Ohio argue that universal free meals are a critical investment in children’s future. Hunger affects more than just physical health—it has been linked to reduced cognitive development and increased behavioral challenges in schools. As Ohio sees declining participation in school meals post-COVID-19 waivers, these cuts risk compounding an already concerning trend.
If passed, the cuts could lead to long-term consequences for Ohio’s youth, with hunger becoming a persistent barrier to education. Children need adequate nutrition to learn, focus, and grow, and depriving them of this could have ripple effects throughout their academic and personal lives. Experts emphasize that policy decisions should align with the overwhelming public support for universal free school meals, as reflected in recent polls.
By reducing administrative burdens through programs like the CEP, schools ensure equal access to meals without stigmatizing students from low-income households. Raising the eligibility threshold would undo this progress, forcing struggling families to reapply for benefits while many slip through the cracks.
Cutting access to free school meals threatens to undo years of progress in addressing child hunger. A renewed commitment to universal meal programs is essential to ensure Ohio’s children have the nutrition they need to thrive.
“Free meals can help our students thrive mentally, socially, and physically.” — Dr. John Stanford, Children’s Defense Fund-Ohio
