New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a bill providing free school meals to all students, aiming to alleviate family budgets and address food insecurity. The legislation sets aside $22 million in the state budget to fund the program and improve school kitchens.
California and Maine have also implemented universal free meals, while Vermont and Nevada are considering similar measures. Advocacy groups view this as another step in New Mexico’s efforts to combat historically high food insecurity rates.
The law also promotes the use of locally sourced food and aims to reduce food waste.
