The taxpayer cost of Minnesota’s “free” school meal program continues to grow each year, with the program running significantly over budget.
Since the launch of the School Meals Program in 2023, nearly 450 million meals have been served in Minnesota’s public, charter, and non-public schools. Just in its third year, it funded more than 150 million free meals for students.
Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat who helped spearhead the program, applauded it as the school year kicked off earlier this month.
“Every meal we serve means one less child worried about hunger and one more student ready to learn,” Walz said. “As we begin a new school year, we’re reminded that breakfast and lunch are essential to a child’s health, development, and success . . . Thanks to this program, kids can concentrate on the science lesson or the game at recess instead of worrying about where their next meal will come from.”