This article is one of a series of articles produced by Word in Black through support provided by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. Word In Black is a collaborative of 10 Black-owned media outlets across the country.
By Aaron Allen , The Seattle Medium
Recent legislative expansions in Washington have made free school meals accessible to 70% of the state’s 1.1 million students, including thousands in Seattle Public Schools (SPS). With more than 775,000 students now eligible for free meals, this program aims to support academic success, reduce family financial stress, and combat food insecurity.
SPS Director of Culinary Services Aaron Smith has witnessed firsthand the impact of the expanded program. Out of SPS’s 109 schools, 40 elementary schools currently participate in the universal meal program. Smith emphasizes that providing free meals to all students removes barriers and stigma, making school a more welcoming environment.
“I think it impacts Seattle Public Schools in a very positive way,” Smith explained. “It really eliminates the stigma of school meals. Kids are more comfortable, especially since meals became free; it’s more comfortable going into the cafeteria. I think overall it’s just a great thing for the students. I don’t believe kids should be paying for meals in school.”
In addition to reducing stigma, the universal meal program allows school nutrition staff to focus on meal quality and nutrition education, rather than managing unpaid meal debt. According to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), in districts like Seattle where free meals are provided, school nutrition staff no longer need to spend hours tracking and collecting meal payments.
The expanded free meal program has also led to a significant increase in student participation. In the 2023–24 school year, lunch participation in schools offering free meals rose by 32%, and breakfast participation increased by 50%. According to State Superintendent Chris Reykdal, this increased participation has tangible benefits for families.
“When students participate in universal meal programs, their families can save up to $1,200 per year that they might otherwise spend on meals during the school day,” Reykdal said. “Especially as we all battle rising inflation and tighter budgets, these programs provide much-needed financial relief to families statewide.”
To meet the needs of Seattle’s diverse student body, SPS’s Culinary Services team collaborates with nutrition experts, students, and the community to tailor menus for both nutritional value and cultural relevance.
“The Culinary Services department is the team who creates the menu. There are multiple people who have a voice in that process,” said Smith.
Currently, the district’s K-5 schools operate on one menu, while secondary schools have another. Smith explained that SPS hopes to adapt the menu for each school location within the next few years to offer more flexibility and customization.
“We always get feedback from students, parent organizations, people who want to give feedback,” Smith continued. “That’s how we shape the meals. Our goal is to make sure that the kids get something they want to eat. We also try to educate them about different cultures through food. But the feedback is the most important thing when it comes to shaping meals.”
A critical aspect of the SPS meal program is accommodating students with food allergies and medical needs. Smith reassures parents that SPS has safeguards in place to ensure the health and safety of students with dietary restrictions.
“There’s a medical form that parents fill out and get their physician to sign off on, and then we put the alerts in the system,” Smith explained. “If it’s something that can be managed at the school site, the kitchen manager handles it. If it’s more complex, it’s managed at the central kitchen, and we also have an allergy-free menu.”
For Smith and his team, offering high-quality, nutritious food is a top priority. SPS sources local ingredients whenever possible, including produce, fish, and a majority of its beef.
“We have very strict nutritional guidelines from the USDA, but we put out a really good product,” Smith said. “We try to respect as many cultures as possible in the menu. Our fish is local, a good percentage of our beef is local, and most of our produce is local. We do a lot of local purchasing and use high-quality, fresh ingredients from right here in Washington.”
The expanded meal access in Washington comes at a time when child poverty is on the rise nationally. A recent Census Bureau report found that the U.S. child poverty rate jumped from 5.2% in 2021 to 12.4% in 2022.
“We know that students can’t learn when they’re hungry,” said Reykdal. “Students are at school for seven hours per day, and meals are part of the school day.”