Delaware bill would expand free lunch in public schools

DELAWARE – A new bill in Delaware would expand the number of students eligible to receive free meals at public schools.

House Substitute 2 for House Bill 125 would require public schools to offer a free breakfast and lunch to students who qualify for reduced-price meals, not just those who qualify for free meals under national programs. Fiscally, this version of the bill differs drastically from when it was first introduced: the annual cost to the state is estimated at roughly $250,000, in contrast to the $40,000,000 dollar price tag that it initially held.

“This is just one step in the right direction to ensure that we’re doing our part as legislators, to make sure that students are being provided with the basic nutritional needs, to make sure that they succeed in school,” said Representative Sherae’a Moore, the primary sponsor of the bill.

House Substitute 2 for House Bill 125 is currently out of committee and has been placed on the Ready List.

Representative Moore added that she is still committed to reaching a point where free breakfast and lunch is available to all students, not just some.