California is the first state to offer all 6 million public school students free meals, thanks to the statewide Universal Meals Program.
The Universal Meals program is built upon the federal National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program, to ensure all students are offered breakfast and lunch at school.
"We know that many California children are food insecure, and if you're hungry you cannot learn well."
- Nancy Skinner, State Senator
In 2021, 1 in 6 children, approx. 13 million, may have experienced food insecurity, according to Feeding America.
