Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, and Speaker Mariano Visit Snug Harbor to Celebrate Permanent Universal Free School Meals
It was a momentous day at Quincy’s Snug Harbor Elementary School as Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, and House Speaker Ronald Mariano, joined by key legislators and advocates, celebrated a landmark initiative in Massachusetts: permanent universal free school meals for K-12 students across the state.
The Massachusetts fiscal 2024 budget, signed by Governor Healey on August 9, 2023, allocated $172 million in permanent state funding for universal free school meals for K-12 students. When combined with federal reimbursement for eligible meals, this initiative ensures that all students in schools participating in the National School Lunch and Breakfast programs are entitled to one free lunch and breakfast each school day.
Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, and Speaker Mariano (a former Snug Harbor teacher) were joined by House Chair Aaron Michlewitz, bill sponsor Representative Andres Vargas, and Erin McAleer, the President and CEO of Project Bread, a major advocate of this legislation. Also attending were Representatives Bruce Ayers and Tackey Chan, Senator John Keenan, Mayor Thomas P. Koch, members of the Quincy School Committee, and QPS administrators.
Quincy Public Schools was proud to host our esteemed guests and joined in celebrating this monumental legislation, which will transform the lives of students in Quincy and beyond, ensuring they have access to nutritious meals with no financial burden and without stigma.
Read a full press release from the Governor’s office at https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-healey-joins-legislative-leadership-to-celebrate-permanent-universal-free-school-meals