Free School Meals are Now Accessible for More Students Across Hawai‘i
Starting the 2025-26 school year, the Hawai‘i Department of Education is making changes that will help more kids eat for free.
2025-26 School Year
No student can be denied a meal because they are unable to pay
Students eligible for reduced price meals will receive meals for free
2026-27 School Year
Students under 300% of the Federal Poverty Level will be eligible for free meals. (See income thresholds here)
For the upcoming 2026 legislative session, HHAN plans to build off of the momentum from last year, focusing on these key areas ↓
UNIVERSAL FREE SCHOOL MEALS BY 2030
Beginning with the 2029-2030 school year, free school meals shall be provided to every student enrolled in a department school, regardless of a student's eligibility for participation in the national school lunch program.
FREE SCHOOL MEALS EXPANSION TO CHARTER SCHOOLS
Expand free school meals to families earning up to 300% of the Federal Poverty Level in public charter schools that are participating in the National School Lunch Program.
REMOVAL OF 50% SCHOOL MEAL COST RATIO
Remove the requirement that school meals have to be priced at least half of what they cost to make.
MEDICAID DIRECT CERTIFICATION
Implement a direct certification process that automatically qualifies children receiving Medicaid for free or reduced-price school meals, even if they don’t fill out an application.
Have you or someone you know been denied a meal?
Let us know using this form, or contact @freeschoolmeals on instagram
In the News
Lawmakers have pushed the education department for more details on the costs of running its school meal program.