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Pending legislation

Connecticut

Policy Snapshot

Failed to pass School Meals for All legislation

Expanded Access

Free school breakfast and lunch for students who qualify for reduced-price meals.

44%

of students are eligible for free or reduced-price school lunch.*

Policy Landscape and Our Work

Efforts by FoodCorps and our coalition partners during the 2024 legislative session resulted in the state covering the reduced price co-pay category for breakfast and lunch. This means students whose families earn $55,500 or less each year will be eligible for free school meals, including breakfast. While this change will result in some students no longer having access to free breakfast at school, we’re grateful for the elimination of the reduced-price category, and we will continue advocating for all students to have access to free meals in Connecticut.

The CT Local Food for Schools Incentive Program that FoodCorps championed last year rolled out just in time to take advantage of the growing season and summer meal programs. This program provides every public school district in Connecticut with greater purchasing power for state-produced food ($1 for every $2 spent) and regional local food ($1 for every $3 spent). Participating public school districts are supported in prioritizing their purchases from small farm businesses and socially disadvantaged farmers.

In October, FoodCorps celebrated a special kick off to “CT Grown for CT Kids Week” hosted by our partners at Middletown Public Schools. Joined by over a thousand students, local and state leaders, farmers, and FoodCorps alumni, the event featured a student-staffed tasting market and a lunch comprising all locally sourced ingredients.

Notably, Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz and state agency partners at the CT Department of Agriculture and CT Department of Education expressed their appreciation while attending the event. Dawn Crayco, Northeast Policy Director of FoodCorps and Co-Chair of the CT Farm to School Collaborative, shared: “When schools and farms partner, the impact is palpable. Students have opportunities to learn where their food comes from, enjoy local food in their cafeteria, and meet the people who grew it.”

 

Legislative & Advocacy Resources

Key Players & FoodCorps Friends
Legislative Champions

State Representative Bobby Gibson

Legislative profile
Connecticut

Explore our Partner Sites in Connecticut

See partner sites

*Source: EdSight

Have feedback or recommendations for this page? Email us at advocacy@foodcorps.org.

FoodCorps is a non-partisan, non-profit organization. FoodCorps staff and FoodCorps AmeriCorps members may not participate in advocacy or lobbying activities during work time charged to an AmeriCorps funded grant or while earning AmeriCorps service hours. No federal funds were used to prepare or distribute advocacy content.

Last updated November 21, 2024