Flush with a huge projected state budget surplus, Gov. Tim Walz last spring signed a bill providing free breakfasts and lunches at schools across the state to any kid, regardless of family income.
He predicted the free meals would ease stress on parents and help reduce childhood poverty and “food insecurity” in Minnesota. Thousands of kids took him up on the offer.
Many schools this fall saw demand for meals jump. In Northfield Public Schools, student breakfast counts rose by nearly two-thirds from the prior year, with lunches up 20 percent. Roseville Area Schools saw similar numbers — 30 percent more kids eating lunch in the cafeteria and 50 percent more eating breakfast.
