Minnesota officials say universal school meals boosted participation, helped local farmers

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota's Free School Meals program served more than 50 million school meals in 2023'24 and produced large year‑over‑year gains in participation and household savings, state education officials told the Senate Education Finance Committee on Feb. 12, 2025.

The Minnesota Department of Education reported a roughly 15% increase in lunches and a roughly 40% increase in breakfasts statewide after the program began July 1, 2023. "We saw about a 15% increase in lunches served," said Darren Corte, assistant commissioner for the Office of Student Support Services at the Minnesota Department of Education. "Even more impressive was the 40% increase that we saw in the number of breakfasts served." The department estimated families saved about $267,000,000 in the program's first year, based on per‑meal costs used in claims processing.

Why it matters: lawmakers and school officials said higher participation reduces stigma, stabilizes school nutrition budgets, and shifts staff time from paperwork to menu quality and local purchasing. "This program provides more than just meals," said Stacey Copeland, director of nutrition services for Saint Paul Public Schools. "It is about equity, dignity and opportunity, eliminating shame and stigma for students." Several speakers connected improved access to likely gains in classroom focus, attendance and student well‑being.

Most of the hearing described program data and on‑the‑ground experience rather than new legislation. MDE told the committee the Minnesota Free School Meals law was signed by Gov. Tim Walz on March 17, 2023, and the department used targeted…