Free Breakfast & Lunch Returning for Michigan Students This Year

On Wednesday (July 10), Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that free breakfast and lunch are returning for Michigan public school students for the 2024/25 school year.

The funding for the free breakfast and lunch program was secured within the state's education budget for the school year.

The program provides free, healthy breakfasts and lunch to around 1.4 million kids every school year.

In a press release, Governor Whitmer said that this program saves Michigan families a significant amount of money each year:

Free school meals save parents $850 per year per kid and valuable time every morning. When students are fed, they can focus better in class. Let’s keep working together to feed our kids and ensure every family has the support they need to thrive.

The good news for many Michigan families is that these free meals don't stop just because the school year ends. There are places throughout the state where children can get a free meal throughout the summer months.

The state has an interactive map where you can find the nearest meal location to you and also see the hours that they serve meals.

Requirements For Meals in Michigan Public Schools

Schools must follow guidelines when it comes to the meals that they serve. Schools are required to provide milk, fruit, vegetables, grain, and meat or a meat alternative in their meal offerings. This doesn't mean that school workers have to go to the farmer's market every morning to get fresh produce. Fruit and vegetables can be fresh, canned, frozen, or juice.