Bill would provide free lunches to low-income students

LINCOLN — With some help from state taxpayers, a bill considered by the Education Committee on Jan. 28 would help students who may be leaving lunch at school hungry because of financial constraints.

LB 251 would adopt the Child Hunger and Workforce Readiness Act, granting free lunches to students who already qualify for reduced-price lunches. The state Department of Education would cover the costs, which would total about $1.9 million per year.

Almost 150,000 Nebraska students qualified for free or reduced lunches at the start of the 2018-2019 school year. Students who currently qualify for reduced lunches pay 30 cents for school breakfasts and 40 cents for school lunches.

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