Ogden, UT — A bill aimed at providing more free lunches to students across Utah has successfully passed both the Utah House and Senate. House Bill 100, which now awaits Governor Spencer Cox’s signature, is a key legislative effort designed to address the rising food costs for families and improve educational outcomes for students.
Sponsored by Rep. Tyler Clancy (R-Utah County), the bill seeks to provide no-cost meals to 40,000 families, many of whom currently qualify for reduced-price lunches. The bill also includes an expansion of the summer lunch program to ensure that students who rely on school meals during the academic year do not go without nutritious food during the summer months.
Clancy emphasized that the legislation was driven by the increasing cost of healthy meals, which has surged in recent years. “The price of healthy meals has gone up significantly even within the past five to six years,” he stated earlier this week. “We’re hoping House Bill 100 takes the weight off families, alleviates some of the pressure on religious institutions and nonprofits, and ultimately leads to better educational outcomes for our students.”
The bill is seen as a solution to the growing challenges faced by families as food prices continue to climb. By offering free lunches to more students, HB 100 aims to reduce the burden on families already struggling to make ends meet while ensuring that children have access to the nutrition they need to succeed in school.
In addition to providing daily school meals, the expansion of the summer lunch program aims to fill a critical gap. Many students who receive meals during the school year face food insecurity over the summer when school is not in session, and HB 100 seeks to address this issue by extending meal services year-round.
The passage of HB 100 marks a significant step in Utah’s efforts to support students and families, with the hope that the program will not only reduce food insecurity but also contribute to improved educational outcomes for students across the state.
If signed into law by Governor Cox, HB 100 will be a major win for families in Utah, providing them with essential resources to better support their children’s health and academic success.