Together for School Meals
North Dakota's children deserve every opportunity to succeed, and ensuring access to nutritious meals is critical to that success. School meals provide more than just food—they’re a lifeline for families facing food insecurity and a foundation for students to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Now, North Dakotans have the chance to make that promise a reality. Our grassroots coalition is working to place School Meals for All on the ballot so voters can decide whether every child in our state should have access to the meals they need to learn and grow.
This policy would allow schools participating in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs to offer breakfast and lunch to all students at no cost—saving families approximately $1,000 per student each year.
A Proven Path Forward
School meals have been proven to support children’s health, reduce hunger, and improve academic outcomes. Participation in school meal programs is associated with better nutrition, increased consumption of fruits and vegetables, and a reduction in food insecurity. These benefits extend beyond the classroom, lifting families above the poverty line and setting students up for lifelong success.
Our Solution
We believe every student in North Dakota deserves the fuel to learn, grow, and thrive. That’s why we are working to place School Meals for All on the ballot in 2026, giving voters the power to make this critical policy a reality.
Under this proposal:
All public school districts, public schools, and public charter schools would provide one breakfast and one lunch every school day to all enrolled students, at no cost to students, their parents, or their guardians.
Nonpublic schools, Bureau of Indian Education schools, and other tribal schools would have the option to participate, ensuring every child has access to nutritious meals.
This policy is about more than just meals; it’s about giving every child an equal opportunity to succeed while easing the financial burden on families.
Good for All ND Families
At a time when all families are feeling the impact of soaring grocery prices, this policy would put money back in the pocketbook of North Dakota's families. It is estimated that this program would save parents on average over $1000 per student per year- that's $13,000 over the course of a child's school years.
The money could be used to cover other essential expenses, such as housing, healthcare, clothing, or extracurricular activities. For many families, these savings could mean reducing financial stress and providing their children with additional opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive both inside and outside the classroom.
What You Can Do
Sign up below to learn about updates and opportunities to support Together for School Meals.
For questions or more information, please contact amy@togetherforschoolmeals.org