Governor John Carney signed a new legislation into law on Tuesday, which ensures that low-income students will receive free school meals. The signing ceremony was held at Joseph E. Johnson Elementary School, where the governor was accompanied by educational advocates and students.
After more than a year of hard work from state Reps. Rae Moore, D-Middletown, and Bryan Shupe, R-Milford, the governor has finally signed the proposal to ensure that Delaware’s vulnerable students are given the best chance to succeed in their academic pursuits. The two representatives collaborated on their individual proposals to come up with a comprehensive plan that will benefit these students in the long run.
During the signing of House Bill 125 at a Wilmington elementary school, Rep. Moore expressed her optimism about the positive results that could come from the measure. She emphasized that it could lead to improved academic performance, better health, and the reduction of stigma associated with receiving reduced-priced meals.
“Our aim is to make certain that all children in Delaware have access to free school meals, irrespective of their family’s income, despite the significant accomplishment we celebrate today.”
According to the Student Nutrition Association’s 2024 data, students who consume school breakfast achieve 17.5% higher scores in standardized math tests on average and attend 1.5 additional school days per year. It’s worth noting that although the legislation covers all school meals, this data specifically pertains to school breakfast.
During the 152nd General Assembly, a bipartisan movement was initiated in Delaware’s House of Representatives in April 2023. The bill underwent two compromises to reduce the state’s cost while ensuring that low-income students were given priority.
Rep. Moore proposed initially to provide free school meals to all students in Delaware. However, this version of the bill would have resulted in an average cost of $40 million to the state for each of the next three fiscal years.
In a collaborative effort, the Middletown Democrat and Rep. Shupe worked together to expand access to school meals. They introduced a revised version of the bill that would provide free meals to students who qualify for federal reduced-price meal programs. The newly enacted law is expected to cost the state an average of $247,000 annually over the next three years.
Currently, these programs are available to students whose family income falls between 130% and 185% of the federal poverty guidelines.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, an income of $26,572 for a family of two, $33,566 for a family of three, and $40,560 for a family of four would be equivalent to 130% of the federal poverty guideline as of July 2024.
House Bill 125 covers individuals and families with an income of up to 185% of the federal poverty guideline. This means that a family of two can have a total income of $37,814, while a family of three can have $47,767, and a family of four can have $57,720.
During the legislative process, not only Rep. Moore and Rep. Shupe, but also their colleagues from both sides of the aisle and across the hall in the Senate, lauded the positive impact the bill would have on the education of Delaware students.
The Food Bank of Delaware’s 2024 data reveals that in the state, hunger affects one out of every five children, which is a higher percentage compared to one out of every eight adults who suffer from hunger in the First State.
Governor Carney exclaimed that the newly signed legislation is a significant milestone for Delaware and its children. His approval of the measure was made public on Tuesday, emphasizing the importance of the new law.
In a recent interview with the Daily State News, the governor emphasized the crucial role of early childhood education in shaping the future of the state. According to the governor, ensuring that young children can perform and learn is of utmost importance.
According to the speaker, the key to success for states lies in their ability to cultivate a highly skilled and educated workforce. This, he emphasizes, is the foundation for achieving success and should be a top priority for any state looking to thrive.
The annual announcement from the state Department of Education regarding the U.S. Department of Agriculture policy for free and reduced-price meals was released on July 5. This policy applies to the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and After School Snack Program.
The department will be sending meal benefit forms to households of Delaware students. Families can easily apply for the benefit by completing the form for their household and returning it to their child’s school.
Program officials may use the information provided on the form to assess eligibility, and have the authority to verify it at any point during the school year. However, the data will not be utilized for any other purpose without the consent of the parent or guardian.