BISMARCK, N.D. — North Dakota lawmakers are moving forward with a plan to provide free breakfast and lunch to every public school student in the state, a significant shift in policy and a potential boon for families struggling with rising costs.
A Universal Approach to School Meals
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The legislation aims to eliminate hunger as a barrier to learning for all students, regardless of income.
The bill, introduced by Representative Mike Nathe, R-Bismarck, would allocate $65 million over the 2025-2027 biennium to cover the cost of one breakfast and one lunch each school day. “This bill is going to pass at the polls whether we like it or not, and that’s the other reason I went in, because public support for this bill is enormous,” Nathe said.
Under the proposed legislation, public school districts, public schools, and public charter schools would be required to provide meals upon student request. Nonpublic schools, tribal schools, and Bureau of Indian Education-funded schools would have the option to participate.
The state would reimburse schools for the difference between the maximum federal reimbursement rates and the actual federal reimbursement received for meals served. Funding would come from the state’s Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund, with the program slated to begin July 1, 2026.
Political Winds Shift on Student Nutrition
This advancement represents a notable reversal for Republican lawmakers, who previously voted against similar proposals in past legislative sessions. The change reflects a growing recognition of the need to address food insecurity among students.
Representative LaurieBeth Hager, D-Fargo, who sponsored unsuccessful bills for universal free school lunches in 2023 and 2025, emphasized the direct benefits to families. “We are a rich state, we’re a food basket of America,” Hager said. “This is a way to get money directly to the families of this state. Many things in our education system are not income-based—we don’t do that for textbooks, we don’t do that for transportation.”
Senate Minority Leader Kathy Hogan, D-Fargo, highlighted that a universal approach would reach families who might not currently qualify for or access free or reduced-price lunch programs. “One in seven children in this state lives in poverty. Poverty is often invisible,” Hogan stated.
Hogan explained that some parents may feel embarrassed or find the application process for free or reduced lunch programs burdensome. The bill aims to remove cost as a barrier to accessing school meals, while still encouraging families to apply for federal assistance to maximize reimbursements.
The bill’s passage would mark a significant investment in the well-being of North Dakota’s students and families, potentially setting a precedent for other states grappling with similar challenges.
