Potential Cuts to Federal School Lunch Program Threaten Accessibility for Millions of Students
A recent proposal introduced in Congress poses a significant threat to the federal free school lunch program, which serves over 12 million students nationwide, including 27,130 students in Henrico County, Virginia. House Budget Committee Chair Jodey Arrington (R-Texas) has suggested a budget cut of billion, which would modify the eligibility criteria for the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program. This program enables schools with high concentrations of low-income students to offer free meals to all students.
Should the proposal be enacted, Henrico County could see 43 of its 49 CEP schools lose eligibility for the program, marking it as the Virginia district most significantly impacted by these cuts. Additionally, a total of 784 schools across Virginia—including 40 in Chesterfield, three in Hanover, and two in Richmond—would be affected. These cuts stem from a proposed increase in the threshold for school eligibility from the current 25% of students being low-income to a more stringent 60%.
A study conducted by the Food Research & Action Center and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities indicates that changes to the CEP would remove more than half of the currently participating schools from the program, which would ultimately affect approximately 451,000 students in Virginia alone. The analysis highlights the detrimental effects these proposed cuts may have on childhood hunger and the potential hardships for struggling families.
“Proposed cuts to school meals would worsen childhood hunger, hurt struggling families, and create unnecessary burdens for 784 schools in Virginia,” the study notes, emphasizing that schools would grapple with increased administrative tasks while low-income families could miss out on vital meals—jeopardizing their children’s health and educational outcomes.
Henrico County Public Schools (HCPS) remains vigilant regarding this legislative development. HCPS spokesperson Ken Blackstone stated, “We are keeping an eye on what’s happening at the federal level and will be poised to respond if needed.” Currently, HCPS operates 49 schools under the CEP program, which includes numerous elementary, middle, and high schools, providing essential meal services to a significant portion of its student population without requiring annual applications from families.
In addition to the potential cuts to the CEP program, HCPS is also preparing for a decrease in Title I funding, the federal support designated for schools with high percentages of low-income students. This year, the decrease is projected to be offset by million in local funds, allowing the district to maintain services despite the federal shortfall.
HCPS has designated 22 schools to benefit from Title I funding, which is critical for programs such as tutoring, instructional materials, reading and math coaching, and family engagement initiatives. With about 7% of Henrico Schools’ budget derived from federal grants and programs, including substantial allocations for school meals and educational support, these adjustments will require careful planning and management.
As Congress considers significant changes to school meal programs that many depend on, the implications for Henrico’s students and families are profound. The continued availability of free meals is essential for fostering an equitable educational environment and supporting student well-being. School leaders are calling for community awareness and advocacy to ensure that the needs of low-income students remain a priority in federal policy discussions.
Liana Hardy is a Report for America Corps member and education reporter for the Citizen. Her work relies on reader contributions to sustain its important mission.
