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New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has signed legislation that aims to provide more students with access to free school meals. The legislation expands the eligibility criteria under the Working Class Families Anti-Hunger Act, ensuring that a greater number of families can benefit from the program.
Under the new law, public and non-public schools participating in specific federal programs will be required to provide free breakfast, lunch, or both to students whose families have an annual household income of up to 224 percent of the federal poverty level. This expansion means that over 60,000 additional New Jersey families will now be eligible for free school meals.
This legislation aligns with the broader goals of the Working Class Families Anti-Hunger Act, which seeks to address food insecurity among students and provide them with nutritious meals during the school day. The act recognizes that hunger should not be a barrier to education and aims to bridge the gap by providing essential support to families in need.
The expanded eligibility criteria will include a significant number of additional families who previously did not qualify for free school meals. This change is expected to make a substantial impact on reducing food insecurity among New Jersey's student population.