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Imagine being eight years old, sitting in a classroom trying to take a math test, but you can barely concentrate. Your stomach is growling, your head hurts, and all you can think about is the fact that you haven’t eaten since yesterday’s lunch. This isn’t a rare situation—it’s the reality for millions of children in the United States today. And it’s not because they don’t want to eat or because they forgot their lunch money. It’s because their families can’t afford it. Today, I want to talk to you about something that should be a basic right, not a privilege. Access to free school lunches for all children. This is not just about food. It’s about fairness. It’s about giving every child the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed—regardless of their family’s income. As a mother, this issue hits close to home for me. I know how vital it is for kids to be properly nourished. I’ve seen the effects of food insecurity in my own community—kids who are tired, distracted, or even embarrassed because they can’t afford lunch. It breaks my heart, and it makes me angry, because in a country as wealthy as ours, no child should have to go hungry—especially not at school, where they’re supposed to be learning and thriving. Let’s take a step back and look at the bigger picture. According to Feeding America, about 1 in 8 children in the United States lives in a foodinsecure household. That’s over 9 million kids. And yet, our current system still expects families to apply and qualify for free or reducedprice meals based on income. That process not only creates barriers but often leaves children stuck in the middle—either just above the threshold or too embarrassed to ask for help. School should be a safe place. A place where kids don’t have to worry about whether they’ll get to eat. Unfortunately, when school lunch isn’t free for everyone, it creates shame and stigma. Kids who can’t afford lunch get treated differently. Some are given a “cold” meal while others eat a hot one. Others get their meals taken away or even denied completely. There’s even a term for this—it’s called “lunch shaming.” And it’s completely unacceptable. Let me ask you this how can we expect a child to do well on a test, or pay attention in class, or behave properly, when they’re hungry We can’t. Studies have shown again and again that hunger affects cognitive development, concentration, and academic performance. Children who are wellnourished do better in school—they have higher test scores, improved attendance, and fewer behavioral problems. It’s not rocket science—it’s common sense. Here’s where we come in. If we care about kids, if we care about education, and if we care about fairness, then we should be demanding universal free lunch programs in every school in this country. This isn’t a radical idea. In fact, some schools have already implemented it—and the results are incredible. When meals are free for everyone, participation goes up. Stigma disappears. And teachers and staff can focus on education, not managing who owes lunch money. One example comes from New York City. In 2017, the city made school lunch free for all public school students—no paperwork, no income checks, no shame. They saw a significant increase in the number of students eating lunch at school, including those who previously paid for meals. Why Because it became normal. It became inclusive. It became part of the school culture. And let’s not forget the economic side of things. While some critics argue that universal free lunch programs cost too much, the truth is that the longterm benefits far outweigh the expense. When children are better nourished, they’re healthier. That means fewer doctor visits, lower healthcare costs, and better educational outcomes. Investing in our kids today saves money tomorrow. But what if we took this even further Imagine a world where school meals weren’t just free—but also healthy, culturally relevant, and made from fresh, locallysourced ingredients. We could use school lunch programs not only to fight hunger, but to teach kids about nutrition, sustainability, and where their food comes from. We could turn cafeterias into learning environments, and even support local farmers and economies in the process. Universal school meals could be a gateway to bigger, better conversations about public health and food justice in this country. And let’s be honest—this is also about empathy. It’s about putting ourselves in the shoes of a child who doesn’t get to choose their circumstances. It’s about deciding what kind of nation we want to be. Are we okay with a system where some kids eat and others go hungry just because of their ZIP code or their parents’ paycheck Or are we ready to say that no child—no child—should ever feel less than, simply because they’re hungry Still not convinced Think of it this way a child’s mind is like a garden. If we want it to grow, we have to feed it. We water it, we care for it, and we give it the right conditions to thrive. But if we ignore it—if we let it dry up—then we’re not just failing that child, we’re failing our future. I’m not asking for anything extreme. I’m asking for basic human decency. I’m asking for us to treat every child with dignity, no matter their background. I’m asking for us to say, as a society, “We believe in you. You matter. And we won’t let you go hungry.” So what can we do Start by supporting policies that push for universal school lunch. Talk to your local school board. Write to your representatives. Vote for leaders who put children first. If you’re a parent, talk to other parents. If you’re a teacher, advocate for your students. No matter who you are, your voice matters. Because here’s the bottom line every child deserves a fair shot at a good education. And that starts with a full stomach. Let’s feed the future—together.