A big experiment is underway in public school cafeterias across Michigan. As a part of the state Legislature's budget for the 2023-24 school year, lawmakers allocated $160 million for the Michigan School Meals program, which makes breakfast and lunch free for all students, with no income restrictions. The state recently announced that 1.3 million of Michigan's more than 1.4 million students have access to free breakfast and lunch programs through their school.
The total allocated for this school year — $160 million — is the state's best educated guess for cost, Diane Golzynski, deputy superintendent for finance and operations, said. Lawmakers deposited $245 million to a school meals reserve fund, so there are additional funds in case student demand overshoots the state's estimate this year.
The Detroit Free Press' photo gallery here.
Further reading at The Detroit News here.
"Our kitchen never closes. When a child is crying or upset or having some big emotions, usually a carrot or apple will help assist us in meeting their needs that way. I ask our cafeteria staff to be ready," said [Natoya] Coleman, principal of Doyle-Ryder Elementary School in Flint Community Schools.
