Olivia M. Thompson, PhD, MPH: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.
Objectives: 1. To describe Universal Free School Meals Policies across the 8 states whereby such policies are implemented. 2. To describe New Mexico's Universal Free School Meals Policy. 3. To contrast and compare New Mexico's Universal Free School Meals Policy with that of other states.
Methods: A policy scan of state-level implemented Universal Free School Meals policies was conducted to determine adopted policy provisions and implementation guidelines across all states.
Results: Including New Mexico, universal free school meal policies are now permanently adopted in 8 states and studies highlighting policy impacts on child education and health outcomes are extremely positive. Given these positive impacts, New Mexico has, just this past September, strengthened provisions outlined in Senate Bill (SB) 4 by adopting a rule that establishes the standards and procedures for SB 4 implementation required for schools to receive an official certification to establish a “Healthy Universal School Meals Program”, on or before July 1, 2025. [During the 2024/2025 school year, 77% or a total of 902 schools (out of approximately 1,173 eligible public, public charter, tribally controlled, and private schools) applied to participate in the Healthy Universal School Meals Program]. Importantly, standards include meal quality improvements for meals to be prepared and cooked for same day consumption using “scratch” or “speed scratch” preparation methods. In other words, meals will be prepared using whole, fresh ingredients that include raw proteins, whole-grains, and fresh fruits and vegetables or made by blending fresh ingredients together with pre-prepared and ready-made, minimally processed ingredients.
Conclusions: By August 1st of each year, certified schools will receive the greater of one thousand dollars or an amount equal to 10 cents multiplied by the number of lunches qualified for federal free meal reimbursement served to students during the preceding school year. Time will tell if such monetary incentive will be enough to offset the costs of SB 4 implementation and enable school food service operations to fully implement policy provisions and thus realize New Mexico’s significant financial investment in ensuring that all children, regardless of their ability to pay, have access to nutritious meals while at school.
