Michigan’s School Meal Program Faces Threat from Washington Overhaul

Proposed federal cuts to Michigan’s universal school meal program threaten access for thousands of vulnerable students, particularly those in economically disadvantaged districts. Experts warn that reduced meal availability could negatively impact educational achievements and exacerbate food insecurity for struggling families.

Proposed federal cuts to free school meals could affect thousands of children in Michigan’s school meal program, school officials warn. State leaders push to protect local programs.

Federal School Meal Cuts Could Hit Michigan’s School Meal Program’s Most Vulnerable Students

A proposed federal policy shift could severely restrict access to free and reduced-price meals in Michigan’s school meal program in public schools, raising alarm among educators, administrators, and policymakers. Currently, Michigan is one of only eight states with a universal school meals program. The initiative, which offers breakfast and lunch at no cost to all public school students, regardless of income, has seen marked success since its statewide adoption in the 2023-24 academic year.

But a proposal from U.S. House Budget Committee Chair Jodey Arrington would raise the threshold for schools to qualify for free meals under the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) from 25% to 60% of students eligible for subsidized meals. If passed, the change would mean that hundreds of thousands of Michigan students could lose access to no-cost meals.

The implications would be particularly severe for districts like Bendle Public Schools in Genesee County, where 88% of the 1,002 students are economically disadvantaged. According to food service director Dawn Pully, “They depend on these meals.” She describes young students arriving alone during summer break just to eat: “We have children as young as six walking by themselves to come eat.”

Universal Meals Help Remove Stigma, Boost Participation

The Michigan School Meals Program, backed by both state and federal funds, is more than just a food initiative—it’s a strategic investment in academic success. The state reports that 31% more students are eating breakfast at school since the program began, with daily participation jumping to over 375,000 by fall 2024.

School administrators argue that universal access removes the stigma often associated with subsidized meals. Richard Browder, Director of Food Services for Brighton Area Schools in Livingston County, explained, “I’ve watched students who used to come in late now arrive early for breakfast… high schoolers who used to skip lunch now eat with their peers.”

Brighton serves a very different demographic than Bendle—only 10% of its nearly 5,800 students are economically disadvantaged—yet still sees widespread benefits from universal meals.

Michigan’s Response Anchored in Equity, Nutrition, and Farm Support

State Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice emphasized the interconnectedness of child wellness, academic achievement, and local agriculture. “Children who eat well have a greater opportunity for academic success,” he said, pointing to partnerships with Michigan farms that simultaneously improve school nutrition and bolster rural economies.

The federal CEP proposal, if enacted, could force Michigan either to increase its spending significantly or to reduce meal access. That’s a burden many fear the state cannot sustainably bear long term, especially as it works to achieve Goal 3 of Michigan’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan: improving the health, safety, and wellness of all learners.

Experts Say Proposal Risks Reversing Key Educational Gains

Education and public policy experts are expressing concern over the proposed federal change. Dr. Diane Golzynski, Deputy Superintendent with the Michigan Department of Education, noted in her recent presentation to the State Board of Education that a cut in access could disproportionately affect students from working-class families just above the eligibility line. These are children who don’t qualify for free meals but whose families still struggle to afford food.

According to a 2024 report by the Urban Institute, food insecurity among children is directly linked to lower test scores and higher absenteeism. “Eliminating barriers to nutrition improves student behavior and cognitive performance,” the report concluded.

Proposed Policy Would Leave Schools with Hard Choices

Without a significant boost in state funding, schools might be forced to cut back on meals or introduce tiered pricing, which could reinstate the very stigmas that universal access has helped eliminate. For school districts already operating on tight budgets, the federal shift could be a breaking point.

For Michigan families already dealing with inflation, housing costs, and economic uncertainty, a sudden shift in food support could mean yet another challenge in an already stretched household budget.

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