With back-to-school season here, Minnesota is implementing no-cost meals for all students, regardless of family income.

As districts prepare, some reminders are being floated to parents. The state Legislature approved "universal meals" for schools this past session.

Leah Gardner, policy director for Hunger Solutions Minnesota, said parents no longer face the burden of having to fill out paperwork to ensure their child has access to these meals, or worry about whether they are eligible.

She noted families still might be asked to voluntarily complete applications, because of the broader benefits connected to tracking participants.

"That is often tied to a school's funding and a family being able to get other forms of relief from paying fees, and various things like that. It's still important for a variety of reasons," Gardner explained. "But thankfully, it's not the 'be all, end all' to whether a child's going to eat that day."

The Minnesota Department of Education said all public school districts will be participating in no-cost meals, covering 880,000 students. It is unclear how many private schools will take part, but Gardner has observed some of them making the transition, because of the benefits to both students and a school's operations. After-school snack programs are not part of the initiative.

As more families face pressure from their grocery budgets, Gardner encouraged households, especially those who have never used the program before, to keep an open mind about taking advantage of these meals.

"They might be surprised about how much a district is doing around, you know, allergy considerations, making sure that meals are healthy, fresh, culturally appropriate, you name it," Gardner outlined.

She added those approaches might help a student discover foods they've never tried before. The meals are still connected to the National School Lunch Program, so they must meet a nutritional standard.

Minnesota is now among eight states to have taken steps to expand no-cost breakfasts and lunches to all students.

Roughly one in eight Nebraskans who have experienced hunger is a child. The state has a chance to help their families afford groceries, but must 'opt in' to a federal program to do so.

During the COVID Public Health Emergency, families with children eligible for free or reduced-price meals at school also received Pandemic EBT funding to help them afford groceries during school closures and summer vacation. Now the U.S. Department of Agriculture is offering a similar program, Summer EBT, on a permanent basis.

Eric Savaiano, food and nutrition access program manager for the nonprofit Nebraska Appleseed, said a huge number of Nebraska children could benefit, but the state must opt in to the program.

"It's an option for states to take this program up," Savaiano explained. "And there is a small investment that's needed to authorize it. But it would pull down $18 million in benefits to be distributed to about 150,000 kids."

Savaiano explained the state would pay about $300,000 annually in administrative costs, and Nebraska families would receive $120 per eligible child for groceries in the summer.

The deadline for states to let the USDA know they are interested is Jan. 1. Nebraska is not among the 14 states and two tribal nations that have signed on so far.

Savaiano argued Nebraska children have a lot to gain and the state has little to lose by signing on in time.

"Even indicating interest does not actually lock us into participation," Savaiano pointed out. "It would just give us the opportunity to participate, while some of these final regulations for this brand-new program are released. But I think we might be out of luck if we don't even indicate our interest by January 1st."

Just over 12% of Nebraskans experience food insecurity. Savaiano observed the state's rural nature probably contributes to the figure, which is higher than the national average. But he added the state has refused "time and time again" to participate in federal programs that could have helped reduce food insecurity.

"Through the pandemic, there were lots of federal assistance programs that we refused -- sometimes first in the nation, or we ended very early -- that made it harder for people to get the food that they need," Savaiano noted.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to a request for comment on the state's plans regarding the Summer EBT program.


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Today, nearly 4,000 Utahns are lacing up their running shoes and putting on a costume for the Utah Food Bank's 18th annual Utah Human Race.

Ginette Bott, president and CEO of the Utah Food Bank, said as many gather in the spirit of Thanksgiving, it is an important time to remember close to 320,000 Utahns face hunger, and one in 10 Utah kids do not know where their next meal is coming from. She explained by running with an "attitude of gratitude," many are helping the food bank in the fight against statewide hunger.

"We know that what we do comes at a crucial time for people on a daily basis," Bott noted. "But when you have families that are trying to celebrate a holiday tradition, regardless of which holiday they celebrate, and they have to stretch that budget even more, what we do for families is really, really important."

The event is taking place at the Sandy Promenade and starts at eight in the morning. Runners can choose between a 5k or 10k race.

The American Farm Bureau Federation found Thanksgiving dinner was less expensive this year than last but food costs still remain high compared to years past. The group found this year's "classic Thanksgiving feast" for 10 people cost just over $6 per guest. Bott pointed out the race is part of the food bank's Holiday Food and Fund Drive and encouraged Utahns to donate food, time or money if they can.

"Any of those three things would be appreciated, and if you don't come to the Utah Food Bank, go to a pantry in your neighborhood or even another organization that you are passionate about," Bott suggested. "Time of giving is great during the holiday season, and the biggest mistake people make is not doing something."

Bott stressed for every dollar going to the Utah Food Bank, they can turn it into more than $8 worth of goods and services. She added the fight against hunger takes a communitywide approach and reminded people it is not something only applying during the holiday season but throughout the course of the year. She invited Utahns to give thought to what it is they can share with others.


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As Thanksgiving approaches, some Alabama residents are facing a meal gap crisis, forcing people to choose between buying gas and medicine or putting turkey on the table.

Each month, the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama reported they serve about 250,000 people across 12 counties who experience food insecurity on a regular basis.

Nicole Williams, CEO of the food bank, said this holiday season the food bank is preparing an extra 25,000 holiday meal boxes to help feed families.

"The holidays are really all about food and family being together," Williams explained. "We want to just ensure that our neighbors who experience food insecurity have an opportunity to have a nice meal and not feel that stress of where that food is going to come from."

She noted they are working with 230 agency partners to help distribute holiday meals throughout central Alabama between now and the end of December.

Some of the 12 counties served by the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama are located in rural areas, where food insecurities can exist at higher rates, according to an Annie E. Casey Foundation study.

Williams pointed out the need for food assistance is currently at an all-time high, which is reflected at the food bank. She said they had to start finding ways to provide holiday meals way back in June, and added inflated grocery and gas prices have impacted their operations.

"I know last year we had budgeted about $80,000 for gas and we spent more than twice that much as gas prices rose," Williams reported. "The food bank also buys food. We don't just you know take donated food and so we use grant money and donor money to buy food. So, food inflation has really affected us."

Williams added people in need of food can visit feedingal.org and click the "Find Food" button on the front page. Information on volunteering at the food bank warehouse or organizing a food drive can also be found there.


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