Broad coalition urges free school meals while some officials warn funding would shift education dollars

Supporters urged Connecticut legislators on March 5 to make school meals free for all students, saying the policy would reduce childhood food insecurity, simplify operations and increase federal reimbursements, while at least one local education official warned the bill’s funding mechanism could force cuts to essential school services.

Multiple witnesses told the Appropriations Committee that HB 5144 — an act concerning funding for school meals — would help families and students across the state. Daniel Fitzmaurice, director of advocacy at United Way of Connecticut, said the state’s ALICE research shows at least 581,000 Connecticut households are asset-limited and income-constrained; he argued that no-cost breakfast for all and no-cost lunch for reduced-price families would lift a real burden off those households. “This bill simply extends that same relief to families across our state who…