Universal school meals: Most direct path to stronger schools
Federal cuts will increase student hunger and classroom disruptions
Rep. Emily Kinkead January 14, 2026 | 6:50 PM
ENOLA, Jan. 14 – Recent federal action has triggered the largest reduction to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in history, placing thousands of Pennsylvania families at increased risk of hunger. Children who have already learned to go without will arrive at school hungry and without access to free meals, creating ripple effects in classrooms. Students experiencing hunger often struggle to focus, learn and succeed academically.
Students, educators, administrators, and experts testified before the House Majority Policy Committee at a hearing at the East Pennsboro Middle School library. A recording of the hearing’s livestream can be found here.
“The goal of this hearing was to identify proven solutions that guarantee every student has access to healthy, high-quality meals, while also eliminating the stigma of meal debt so children can overcome hunger,” said state Rep. Nate Davidson, who hosted the hearing and represents portions of Cumberland and Dauphin counties. “What we heard tonight is that universal school meals support students’ needs and improve classroom environments and academic results for all.”
Testifiers detailed the benefits of universal school meals, citing improved student engagement and stronger academic outcomes. Testifiers also emphasized that ensuring every child has access to nutritious meals is one of the most direct, effective and evidence-based strategies to improve school performance.
“Our students and schools will face devastating consequences as MAGA enacts the largest cuts ever to federal programs designed to feed hungry children,” said state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, chair of the House Majority Policy Committee, who represents portions of Erie County. “These cuts will have a domino effect, leading to more classroom disruptions and making it harder for all students to learn. Pennsylvania can overcome the chaos in Washington by adopting policies that ensure every child has access to a healthy meal.”
Tuesday’s House Majority Policy hearing featured testimony by recent high school student Ashleigh Reedy; PSEA Vice President Jeff Ney; West Shore School District Director of Federal Programs Ryan Argot; Norristown Area School District Food Service Director Nicole Melia; Penn State College of Health and Human Development Professor and Department Chair Meg Bruening; and Tusk Philanthropies Director of Solving Hunger Lisa Quigley.
“Hunger has no place in a classroom,” said state Rep. Emily Kinkead, who represents portions of Allegheny County and has supported universal school meals and authored the legislation on its adoption in Pennsylvania schools. “The pandemic-era programs demonstrated what’s possible when we prioritize student nutrition. Permanent access to nutritious school meals – without the burden and stigma of meal debt – is a foundational necessity for young people to learn, grow and succeed.”
Information about this hearing and other House Majority Policy Committee hearings can be found at pahouse.com/policy. Photos to be used for publication can be found on the day of the hearing at Facebook.com/PADemPolicy.