A measure in the Washington State Legislature would provide free school meals to K-12 students, but nutrition service workers are worried they are not being considered.

The American Federation of Teachers of Washington represents kitchen workers and is supportive of the bill, but the union said lawmakers also need to ensure there is enough staff to provide the meals.

Kristine Bengochea, kitchen manager for the Northshore School District in King and Snohomish counties, said staffing is a key component of the effort.

"With this new bill coming up, we are so concerned with how many actual workers there will be available to feed all the children," Bengochea noted.

Bengochea pointed out her kitchen has about nine workers and serves 300-400 students daily. The measure is meant to extend a federal policy from the pandemic, which allowed all students to receive meals. The office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, which requested the legislation, did not respond to a request for comment.

Based on the pandemic, AFT Washington expects the number of students it feeds to double from before COVID-19. Bengochea recalled the pandemic was a hard experience for many workers.

"We burned out so quickly with the workers that we had, and this year the workers have either retired early or just didn't come back," Bengochea explained. "We're afraid that's going to happen again with this bill coming out."

The Committee on Early Learning and K-12 Education passed the measure this week. The House version is scheduled for an executive session in the Committee on Education today.

Antihunger advocates and relief organizations are gathering at New Mexico's State Capitol today as part of "Hunger Action Day."

Advocates will urge lawmakers to adopt a budget including $30 million over the next three years for New Mexico's five food banks.

Katy Anderson, vice president of strategy, partnerships and advocacy for Roadrunner Food Bank, said the money would help its 500 statewide partners close the meal gap.

"Many of our partners are in the basement of a church or in some kind of very small buildings and they might not have appropriate refrigeration or freezers or racks," Anderson explained. "So, some of that funding will help to support building up that infrastructure."

Every day, one in five New Mexico children face hunger or food insecurity. Anderson fears the number could rise if federal budget cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program come about. GOP lawmakers have proposed severe cuts to SNAP, Medicare, Medicaid and more.

For every one meal New Mexico's food banks are able to provide, SNAP provides nine, according to Anderson, who emphasized cuts to eligibility or benefits would be felt broadly.

"Roughly 22% to 23% of our entire population in New Mexico relies on SNAP benefits," Anderson reported. "The communities that are going to be the most hard hit are the rural communities."

New Mexico is one of eight states with a universal school meals policy, which provides free school meals to students regardless of income. As the Trump administration searches for budget cuts, Anderson worries government reimbursements for the program could also be slashed or eliminated.

"What is that going to mean from a federal perspective?" Anderson asked. "Because federal funds do come in to support that. If they shift that funding model, that could mean our state is left holding the bag to do this incredible program with a lot less federal funds."

In addition to Roadrunner, New Mexico's Food Depot, the Community Pantry in Gallup, Farmington's Echo and the Food Bank of Eastern New Mexico in Clovis provide supplemental food to the state's 33 counties. More information is online at rrfb.org/coalition.


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Food insecurity is rising in Indiana.

A Feeding Indiana's Hungry study found 76% of surveyed households expect to need food assistance as often or more in the next year. Nearly two-thirds of those who receive monthly assistance run out of benefits within two weeks.

Emily Weikert Bryant, executive director of Feeding Indiana's Hungry, said more than 70% of respondents had to choose between food and transportation, while over half had to choose between food and housing.

"The stark reality revealed by this study is really a wake-up call for all of us," Bryant emphasized. "It's unacceptable that so many Hoosiers are forced to make impossible choices between feeding your families and covering basic needs like transportation and housing."

Bryant noted many skipped meals. Some faced even tougher choices, like food or medical care.

The survey showed having a job is not always enough. Bryant pointed out more than half of surveyed households had at least one working adult. Many who were unemployed cited illness or disability. Others lost benefits because their income was just over the limit. Some missed paperwork deadlines and lost benefits.

"Even those who are accessing the federal nutrition programs, it's not enough and that's where the charitable sector continues to feel that gap," Bryant stressed. "In the climate that we're talking about right now, we need to make sure that the program is not being cut."

Feeding Indiana's Hungry is calling for action, saying food banks need donations, volunteers, and stronger policy support to keep up with demand. Bryant argued federal and state programs must do more to ensure families do not go hungry.

The Texas Department of Agriculture is accepting sponsor applications for its 2025 Summer Meal Programs.

The Summer Food Service Program and the Seamless Summer Option, for schools that operate the National School Lunch Program, provide summer meals for students 18 years old and younger.

Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said more than 11,000 organizations have participated in the past.

"We reimburse people that provide those summer meals," he said. "Now we work with schools, we work with community organizations like Boys and Girls Clubs, libraries, community centers, faith-based organizations, churches."

First-time sponsors must apply by April 15. Previous sponsors have until May 1. Applications are available at SquareMeals.org.

Miller said the agriculture department hopes to reach children in rural areas, those with a large concentration of migrant workers, and places where more than 50% of children are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch.

"It's real easy for people who want to find these summer meal locations. Between June 1 and the end of August they can find a site," he said. "All you do is dial 211, they'll ask what your ZIP code is where you live, and they'll give you a site close to you. Or if you want to go on the web you can visit summerfood.org."

Although federal funds for some programs are being cut, he said, he's not concerned about the summer food program; adding that "feeding hungry children is not a frivolous expense."


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