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Millions of children could lose free school meals this fall, experts say
United States🏛️ PoliticsProgressiveyesterday

Millions of children could lose free school meals this fall, experts say

Experts warn that millions of U.S. children could lose access to free school meals this fall due to changes in the Republican-led 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' (OBBBA). The law altered the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), leading to 4.5 million people, including 1.5 million children, being removed from the program since its enactment in 2025. This reduction in SNAP participation affects both direct eligibility for free school meals and the ability of school districts to qualify for the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which allows high-poverty schools to offer free meals to all students. According to the Urban Institute, approximately 18.3 million students nationwide could lose access to free meals. In Florida, the Miami-Dade School District announced it would no longer provide free breakfast and lunch to all students, citing declining SNAP enrollment. Experts highlight the potential financial strain on families forced to choose between groceries and essentials like rent or utilities.

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CBS News (US) logoCBS News (US)IndependentProgressiveyesterday
Millions of children could lose free school meals this fall, experts say

Experts warn that millions of U.S. children could lose access to free school meals this fall due to changes in the Republican-led 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' (OBBBA). The law altered the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), leading to 4.5 million people, including 1.5 million children, being removed from the program since its enactment in 2025. This reduction in SNAP participation affects both direct eligibility for free school meals and the ability of school districts to qualify for the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which allows high-poverty schools to offer free meals to all students. According to the Urban Institute, approximately 18.3 million students nationwide could lose access to free meals. In Florida, the Miami-Dade School District announced it would no longer provide free breakfast and lunch to all students, citing declining SNAP enrollment. Experts highlight the potential financial strain on families forced to choose between groceries and essentials like rent or utilities.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the issue as a consequence of Republican-led legislative changes, emphasizing the negative impact on vulnerable populations. It highlights the loss of benefits due to policy shifts and quotes experts expressing concern about the ripple effects on families. While the article does引用

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