New school year marks second year of universal school meals

ST. PAUL, MN - Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today kicked off the 2024-25 school year by greeting students and educators at schools in St. Anthony and Northfield. For the second year, families are set to save thousands on school breakfast and lunch costs from Minnesota’s universal school meals program.

“As a former lunchroom supervisor and classroom teacher for over twenty years, I’m wishing my fellow teachers, school staff, and students an outstanding first day of school,” said Governor Walz. “For the second year, we’re making sure kids are ready to learn by providing free and healthy meals at school. We’re working together to make this school year a good one.”

“As a mom of a new middle schooler, I know there’s nothing like the energy of the first day of school,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “I am so grateful for the educators and school staff who have been preparing for weeks to welcome students back to school. By investing in crucial resources, from free meals and special education to literacy programs and attendance, we’re making sure students and schools have the resources they need for a successful year.”

For the second year in a row, Minnesota students will have access to free breakfast and lunch at school. In the first year of the program, breakfast participation increased over 40 percent, and lunch participation increased 20 percent compared to the prior year. An interactive map shows the increase in each

New investments in K-12 education will also take effect this year, including teacher training efforts and a pilot program to promote school attendance and combat chronic absenteeism. Another $37 million has been dedicated to the Minnesota Reading to Ensure Academic Development Act, which will support literacy training and overhaul reading education in the state.