Baltimore on June 2 joined a growing number of school districts that are offering free school meals to all students regardless of family income. All students in the city’s schools will receive both free breakfast and lunch.

Maryland lawmaker Keith Haynes, a member of the state’s House of Delegates, praised the new policy as a “great equalizer” for Baltimore’s students.

“We know that nutritious, balanced meals have a direct correlation to positive outcomes for our students,” Haynes said. “And we know not everyone has access to that.”

Eighty-four percent of Baltimore’s students qualified for subsidized meals this year based on family income.

Haynes said that having free meals for all will eliminate the stigma that many students eligible for free lunch may feel and ease barriers for homeless students and others who struggle to turn in paperwork and therefore never qualify for subsidized meals.

Baltimore schools join a handful of other districts in Maryland that are taking advantage of a new federal program that allows school districts nationwide to revise their meal-subsidy structures.

The Baltimore Sun, June 2