Breakfast participation: New Jersey bill would make school breakfast free for all
New Jersey's A5658 would require every public school to serve free breakfast to all students each day. The bill is with the Assembly Children, Families and Food Security Committee, and a companion bill has been introduced in the state Senate. FoodService Director notes Pennsylvania served 92.3 million school breakfasts last year, up more than 10 million meals (13%) since 2022-23, the last year before its universal breakfast program. North Dakota voters also decide a universal free school meals measure next week.
Why it matters for directors: Universal breakfast states tend to see participation jump. New Jersey directors should model staffing, grab-and-go or classroom breakfast capacity, and equipment needs now, before a mandate lands.
Original source: FoodService Director ↗