On the Menu 03.13.26

HB 12 – (CS) Reduced-price meals in public schools

HB 12 was heard in House Education on Friday morning. The committee started by adopting the committee substitute (CS), moving from universal school meals, to instead a smaller step that would take reduced-price meals and make those all free for qualifying students. It also creates a path for funding through Pick.Click.Give. The Department of Education & Early Development (DEED) would be required to reimburse schools for the expenses associated with providing reduced-price meals from the newly created reduced-price meal fund. Rep. Dibert spoke to the large fiscal note associated with the original version, and in response to concerns her office came back with this reduced-price meal program as an alternative. She estimated this would impact just over 3,300 students across the state, and could also help encourage more families to apply for free and reduced lunch. Seneca Roach, staff for Rep. Dibert, reviewed the sections of the bill, and they went then to invited testimony from Dr. Lisa Parady, Alaska Council of School Administrators. Rep. Underwood asked for legislative district information about how many children this would impact. Rep. Schwanke asked about parental responsibility, and Dr. Parady noted that the greatest hope is that families are providing food and resources in the home but that there is a gap with children not eating and not having access to food at home. She noted that the federal government stepped in likely to fill that gap seeing that it wasn’t happening at home (we’ll note the history of military readiness in WWII and enlistees not being able to serve based on childhood malnourishment – there’s a fascinating history of the program through USDA here). Becky Zaverl, Principal of Denali Elementary (Fairbanks), provided invited testimony next as a Title I school that receives additional funds to support free and reduced lunch at their school. She provided more information about their funding. She talked about the impact of $200 in weekly student lunch debt, the prevalence of student hunger and the impacts, and more. Rep. Schwanke asked about what the school district does to encourage families to fill out the necessary paperwork for federal free and reduced lunch, and what interventions happen when students indicate they are hungry. Principal Zaverl talked about the annual paperwork required, an August event, her weekly newsletter, paper and electronic copies, PTA engagement, and other ways they engage with families. Rep. Elam asked about the quality of food. Principal Zaverl talked about the nutritional requirements for serving school meals, as well as the benefit of the USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable program, along with nutrition information. Rachael Miller, Food Bank of Alaska, provided the final invited testimony. She noted that 1 in 5 kids in Alaska are experiencing hunger, and they see that need in their food distribution programs addressing both chronic and acute needs. She noted that schools are often the most reliable place kids get food and spoke to the wide ranging benefits of reducing hunger in schools on student performance and behavior. Additionally, the reduction of shame helps improve mental health. Parental responsibility is real, but the burden can’t fall to kids when they need a solid baseline of nutrition – this can be a “yes, and” approach. She also spoke to the impacts of federal changes through HR1, with increased costs to vulnerable families accessing food and healthcare. Rep. Eischeid remarked on food in schools as a nutritional educational opportunity, which was a new and impactful framing for him. The bill was then set aside. You can watch the hearing here.