Gov signs bill to expand free school meals

Great news! Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill that will provide free school meals to more students living in struggling families.

The bill, A-5855/4200, will cover the full cost of school meals for about 66,000 kids whose parents now pay a portion of the meal charge.

Under the legislation, the state will provide $4.5 million to pay the cost of meals served to students who pay a reduced price for those meals.

The legislation, sponsored by Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and Senator Teresa Ruiz, is especially important as the minimum wage rises. This will likely push more families into the reduced-price category, even though they still struggle financially.

Thanks to Gov. Murphy and our state lawmakers for making childhood hunger a priority!

Read the legislation.

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