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A bill circulating in the Minnesota Legislature proposes cuts to the popular but expensive DFL-sponsored universal school meals program.

Walz signed universal school meals bill into Minnesota law

The current program provides free meals to all students, regardless of family income. The proposal would allow free lunches for families whose income 

is below 500 percent of the federal poverty guideline —

 less than around $160,000 for a family of four.

 Families making above that would have to pay for school lunches.

“I would just maintain that not particularly interested in talking about reductions to our K-12 programs or reshifting,” said Kirk Schneidawind, executive director of the Minnesota School Board Association. “We’re not sure of the overall value yet, but we’re still early in the program’s development.”

The proposed bill would give any savings from the adjusted meals program back to schools to invest in other programs. 

To listen to the full conversation with Schneidawind, click the player above.

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A bill moving its way through the Minnesota Legislature seeks to adjust the popular but expensive universal school meals program passed in 2023. 

A bill moving its way through Minnesota legislature seeks to adjust the popular but expensive universal school meals program passed in 2023. 

School board leader: It's too early to roll back universal free meals program

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