FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 24, 2025
Contact: Emma Bittner
(972) 510-3395 | Emma.Bittner@younginvincibles.org
Healthy School Meals for All Feeds Kids and Fuels Local Economies
The Senate Finance Committee will consider House Bill 1274 on Thursday. This legislation refers two ballot measures to the voters this fall to maintain existing funding and ensure long-term stability for the vital Healthy School Meals for All program.
(DENVER) – With Healthy School Meals for All, Colorado public schools are providing more than 600,000 free meals every day. Students who eat a meal at school have higher test scores and attendance rates. They do better socially and are healthier. Dr. Sandra Hoyt Stenmark knows how important it is to make sure kids are not hungry at school.
“As a pediatrician I observe too frequently the negative impacts of inadequate nutrition. Kids are more likely to be absent from school due to an increased susceptibility to both acute and chronic illnesses. Malnourishment and stress impair immune function and worsen chronic diseases, such as asthma. Kids who are hungry are also more likely to struggle with academic performance due to irritability, depression, anxiety and difficulty with concentration,” said Stenmark, a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.
Young people are seeing for themselves the positive impacts of this program. “Healthy School Meals for All is an essential program that influences all Coloradans. Not only does it work to address the pervasive issue of food insecurity; it quite literally nourishes future leaders and innovators. As both a student and someone who’s worked with food-insecure youth, I’ve seen firsthand how access to healthy meals can positively impact young people’s lives,” said Katherine Kim, an advocate with Young Invincibles and a student at Metro State University of Denver.
The Healthy School Meals for All program has not only been a win for kids in our state. It has also had positive economic impacts. At a time when so many families are struggling to make ends meet, this program saves families up to $1,300 per child per year. That means people have income available for other critical expenses like rent and utilities and helps families to have more money to spend on other goods and services in the local community. The program is also helping to build partnerships between schools and local food producers, which benefits our communities.
“Young Coloradans should be able to focus on their well-being and studies, rather than worrying about where their next meal will come from. Healthy Meals for All is vital legislation that removes barriers to food insecurity and ensures students don’t go hungry. Young parents shouldn’t have to stress about feeding their kids lunch, rather be able to prioritize investing in their child’s development and future. It is critical that we bridge the gap and continue to fund and implement access to healthy meals for our students,” said Melaine Kesner, Rocky Mountain Regional Director at Young Invincibles said:
These ballot measures would also expand the Local Food Purchasing Program, a pilot that has shown great success helping schools to source fresh, nutritious food directly from Colorado farmers and ranchers–a critical link in our local food systems.
“Farmers and ranchers are the backbone of our food system, and they struggle to compete with industrial-scale operations. By keeping money in our communities, HSMA offers crucial support for small and mid-sized farms. I’ve seen firsthand how this program uplifts our state’s agricultural producers, said Roberto Meza, the CEO of Hearty Provisions and a first generation farmer.
“In 2024 alone, nearly $300,000 was directed to Colorado farmers and ranchers through our distribution and sales to school districts committed to local food procurement. That’s real money staying in our communities—supporting family farms, creating jobs, and building a food system that’s more resilient and responsive to local needs,” he added.
Without this bill, free meals for all students could be scaled back starting in 2026, which would impact farmers and ranchers, but it would also mean at least 30% of Colorado public school students would no longer have access to free meals for all at school. Thái Nguyễn, the Executive Director at Kaizen, knows just how important it is that we do not let that happen.
Nguyễn shared, “Growing up, if you didn’t have lunch money, you didn’t eat. I remember the hunger, the shame, and trying to hide an empty stomach while pretending everything was fine. Healthy School Meals for All is more than a policy — it’s a promise to every child that they matter, that they’re seen, and that they won’t be left behind simply because their family is struggling. For some kids, this is the only real meal they’ll get all day. I am urging legislators to make sure that no child has to learn on an empty stomach.”
As Food to Power’s Patience Kabwasa put it, “By fully funding Healthy School Meals for All, we’re not just feeding students; we’re investing in local economies, supporting families, and improving community health. It is clear that this isn’t just an expense—it’s an investment in Colorado’s future with returns that will benefit generations to come.”
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Young Invincibles (YI) is a national advocacy and policy nonprofit organization focused on amplifying the voice of young people in the political process at the local, state, and federal levels. YI focuses on issues impacting young adults ages 18 to 34 in higher education, health care, economic security, and civic engagement. Our offices include Washington, D.C., California, Colorado, Illinois, New York, and Texas. For more information, please contact Emma Bittner at (972) 510-3395 or emma.bittner@younginvincibles.org