Arkansas – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has officially signed SB59 into law, a measure that will provide all Arkansas students with free breakfast before the school day begins. The bill, which received overwhelming bipartisan support in both the House and Senate, aims to ease the financial strain on families while ensuring children have the nutrition they need to focus and succeed in school.
The legislation was championed by Senator Jonathan Dismang of District 18 and Representative Zach Gramlich of District 50, both of whom emphasized the vital role proper nutrition plays in a student’s education.
Ensuring Students Start the Day Ready to Learn
Governor Sanders highlighted the importance of the initiative, stating, “Free school breakfast will help ease the burden on families just trying to put food on their tables and make sure kids are fueled and ready to learn. Delivering for our kids is a bipartisan issue, and I’m proud to see us working together to take action.”
Senator Dismang echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the positive impact the law will have on students across the state. “By ensuring that every child starts their school day with a nourishing meal, we give them the tools they need to succeed and thrive, regardless of their background. It’s a simple but powerful step towards creating an equitable learning environment where all students have the opportunity to reach their full potential.”
Representative Gramlich, who has firsthand experience as a middle school teacher, shared the struggles he has seen in his own classroom. “A hungry child comes into school, lays their head down, and waits for lunch. Providing students with a breakfast will ensure that every student starts the day with the nutrition they need to concentrate, participate, and succeed in my classroom.”
How the Program Will Be Funded
Under SB59, every student in Arkansas will be eligible for free breakfast, regardless of their qualification for free or reduced meals under federal law. The law repurposes tax revenue from medical marijuana sales to fully fund the state’s school breakfast and lunch programs, ensuring their sustainability for the foreseeable future.
The legislation also guarantees continued funding for the Summer EBT program, which provides meal assistance to children during school breaks. Governor Sanders reaffirmed her administration’s commitment to addressing child hunger, noting that last summer alone, the program served nearly a quarter of a million Arkansas children.
SB59 builds upon previous legislative efforts that expanded access to free school lunches, further cementing Arkansas’ commitment to ensuring that no child goes hungry during the school day.
With this new law in place, families across the state can feel assured that students will start each day with a nutritious meal, helping them to focus on their education rather than their hunger.
