PORTLAND, Ore. — All students in Portland Public Schools (PPS) will be offered free breakfast and lunch during the 2024-25 school year. Every PPS student is enrolled automatically in the program, the district said. Families won't need to submit an application for free or reduced-price meals.
Breakfast consists of an entrée, milk and choice of fruit. Lunch includes a choice of entrée, milk, and unlimited fruits and vegetables. Students are required to choose at least three foods, and one food choice must be at least a half-cup of fruit and/or a vegetable.
"Access to nutritious meals is a crucial component of student success and well-being, and we are thrilled to be able to take advantage of this opportunity on behalf of our students," said Whitney Ellersick, senior director of nutrition services for Portland Public Schools.
In the past, schools sold milk separately to students who brought lunch from home but wanted milk. Under the new program, a student who wants milk will also be required to choose two other foods, like a fruit or vegetable, at no charge. Milk will no longer be sold separately.
PPS said it can offer free breakfast and lunch to all students at least in part because the state's Student Success Act expanded federal eligibility and allocated additional funds for this kind of program.
The district said this change will have no impact on Title I funding. Under Title I, financial assistance is given to districts and schools who serve a larger population of children from families experiencing poverty.
The Oregon Food Bank (OFB) says its thrilled to hear the news about this expansion.
"We recognize that we're in an ongoing hunger crisis, and we actually don't see it slowing down," said Morgan Dewey, a spokesperson for OFB. "Every kid deserves to thrive in school and have the resources they need, and yet, as many as 1 in 6 kids across Oregon is facing food insecurity right now."
She told KGW that the statistic is an increase from their previous year's report.
Research has also found that schools in Oregon that added universal free meals saw a decrease in behavioral issues, such as suspensions dropping 15% to 20% — especially for kids who would have qualified for free or reduced lunches under non-universal programs.
"We know that we don't means test for other educational success essentials, like textbooks or school buses. And so, we've known for a long time now that we shouldn't be means testing for school meals, either," said Dewey. "It's really exciting to see communities come together to make sure kids have access to school meals throughout the day."
Dewey told KGW that in preparation for the 2025 legislative session, Hunger Free Oregon and the OFB are working with the School Meals for All Oregon Coalition to introduce a bill next month that would secure 100% of Oregon school students to have free meals.
For more information, visit PPS Nutrition Services web page at pps.net/nutrition or contact PPS Nutrition Services via email at nssupport@pps.net.