A bipartisan bill has been proposed in the Arkansas legislature that aims to make school breakfast free for all students. Currently, over 72% of Arkansas school districts offer breakfast, with Rogers Public Schools being one of the schools to provide free breakfast to all students. The bill, SB59, sponsored by both Republican and Democratic legislators, plans to utilize federal funding to cover the cost of school breakfasts.
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders also mentioned plans in her State of the State speech to use medical marijuana funds to make school breakfast completely free for students in Arkansas. The initiative is supported by organizations like the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance and the Samaritan Community Center, who are working to combat food insecurity in the state.
Leaders at the Samaritan Community Center provide snack packs for children on weekends and grocery store access for families to alleviate food insecurity. The proposed bill aims to ensure that all students have access to nutritious food and start their day off right to be ready to learn. With over 89,000 people in Northwest Arkansas facing food insecurity, this initiative could make a significant impact on ensuring that students have regular access to healthy meals.
Currently, 278,000 Arkansas students qualify for free and reduced school lunches, and this bill could help address food insecurity and provide all students with the nourishment they need to succeed.
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