OLYMPIA, Wash. – Nearly 800,000 children in Washington are now receiving free meals at school due to expanded access under a state legislative initiative.
The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction revealed that 70% of children in the state now benefit from this meal program at no cost to their families.
Despite the benefits, the state underestimated the number of participating children. Superintendent Chris Reichel plans to request an additional $17.6 million in the 2025 through 2027 budget cycle to sustain this level of participation. This expansion highlights the growing need for continued support to ensure that all students have access to nutritious meals without imposing a burden on families.
With the increase in participation, these funds are essential to maintain the program and support the nutrition of students across Washington.
Superintendent Reichel’s proposal aims to secure the necessary resources to keep this beneficial program thriving for the state’s children in the years to come.
