The Challenge We Must Address
Too many Tennessee children are missing out on the meals they need to learn, grow, and succeed. Even though hunger touches every county in our state, access to school meals remains inconsistent — and thousands of kids fall through the cracks of the current reduced-price meal system.
Across the state:
- 1 in 5 Tennessee children are food insecure, meaning 274,320 kids don’t get enough food on a regular basis
- When federal COVID-19 waivers expired in 2022, schools had to return to charging families — causing school meal debt to rise statewide
- Some students who don’t qualify for free or reduced-price meals are left to navigate the cafeteria with no support
- Many families live paycheck to paycheck, and a single emergency — a car repair, an ER visit — can push them into food hardship
- Up to 1 in 5 hungry kids do not qualify for any financial help
- School meal participation has dropped, limiting students’ access to nutritious meals and increasing financial strain on schools
Without action, Tennessee risks worsening child hunger, increasing school meal debt, and missing out on critical federal reimbursements that strengthen school nutrition programs.
The Solution:
HB1153 / SB740, sponsored by Rep. Susan Lynn and Sen. Bobby Harshbarger, would ensure more Tennessee children receive the healthy meals they need by eliminating the reduced-price category and providing free school breakfast and lunch to those currently eligible for reduced-price meals.
The bill:
- Requires schools to provide free breakfast and lunch to students who qualify for reduced-price meals
- Ensures the state reimburses schools for these costs when funds are available
- Expands access for 32,393 Tennessee children who received reduced-price lunch in 2022–2023
- Strengthens school budgets by reducing unpaid meal debt
- Supports schools in regaining federal dollars previously left on the table
The total cost: $2.2 million — a fiscally responsible investment to serve tens of thousands of students across the state.
This effort improves educational achievement, strengthens family financial stability, and ensures Tennessee children receive the meals they need to thrive — just like books and buses, school meals are essential supplies for learning.
What you can do: Be a loud voice for little kids and families!
Your voice matters — and legislators need to hear directly from Tennesseans who believe no child should go hungry at school and that strong school nutrition programs strengthen learning, health, and family stability.
Take a moment now to email your state legislators and urge them to support HB1153/SB740 to expand free school meals for Tennessee children.
A quick message (2–3 minutes) makes a real impact.
Before sending, consider adding one or two sentences about:
- Your experiences as a parent, teacher, school leader, or community member
- How hunger impacts learning, behavior, or family financial stability
- Why ensuring consistent access to school meals strengthens Tennessee’s future workforce and economic vitality
- Any personal stories — even brief ones — that highlight why school meals matter
Personal stories move legislators — and your voice can help ensure every Tennessee child has the food they need to learn and thrive.
