Governor Hobbs tells Phoenix students: 'No kid should learn hungry' Announcing 10 Million Free Lunches

As part of a new state budget that eliminates costs for reduced-price school meals, Arizona will give away 10 million free lunches to students this year.

Gov. Katie Hobbs visited Madison Park Middle School on Wednesday to announce the $6 million investment in school nutrition programs, part of a broader budget package the Legislature passed in June.

"No kid should struggle with learning due to an empty stomach," Katie Hobbs said after meeting with students and cafeteria workers.

 

The funding splits between two programs, such as, $3.8 million removes costs for reduced-price meals, and $2.1 million supports SUN Bucks, which helps low-income families buy groceries when school is out for summer.

The SUN Bucks program works with the Arizona Department of Education, Department of Economic Security, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, giving eligible students a one-time $120 payment for summer groceries.

During her school visit, Hobbs heard from a student who had helped a friend pay for lunch the previous year, precisely the kind of situation the new funding aims to eliminate.

"We talked about how important having a good lunch at school is and how hard it is to learn if you don't have a nutritious meal," she said.

This strategy comes as research continues to show the classroom benefits of school meal programs. 

Nationally, nearly 30 million students eat school lunch daily, with most receiving free or reduced-price meals due to low family income as Food Research & Action Center has revealed. 

Studies show students who eat school breakfast have better attendance, improved behavior and higher test scores. Programs that serve breakfast in classrooms reduce tardiness and disciplinary problems while boosting math and reading achievement.

Suspension rates in elementary and middle schools decrease by 15% and 6%, respectively, when schools implement community eligibility programs that offer free meals to all kids. In places where food insecurity is high, the impacts are considerably more severe, leading people to push for accessible resources in school. 

Hobbs praised lawmakers for working across party lines on the budget, saying it shows "what is possible when we are willing to reach across the aisle and deliver common sense solutions."