Support ALICE families
UFSM supports ALICE households in Hawai'i struggling to stretch their budgets. It makes sure that every child has access to nutritious meals regardless of ability to pay.
Improve academic performance
Studies of UFSM in other states have shown large test score improvements and improved academic performance.
Improve nutrition & reduce food insecurity
For many students, school breakfast and lunch are the only full, balanced meals they receive in a day. UFSM is a proven strategy to improve nutrition and food security.
Eliminate social stigma
Hawai'i still allows schools to deny meals to students who have a negative meal balance, making students not only hungry, but also ashamed. UFSM creates a more inclusive and supportive school environment.
Support locally grown food
UFSM supports Farm-to-School initiatives and local farmers by incorporating fresh, locally grown produce into school meals. This provides students with healthier, more sustainable food options.
Estimated Program Costs to the State
This bill would cover the cost of student co-payments for school meals—an estimated $16.3M.
| Current Participation Levels | Projected Participation Rates1 | |
|---|---|---|
| HIDOE Schools only | $16,319,370 | $31,182,471 |
| Public Charter Schools only | $1,368,947 | N/A |
| Total | $17,688,317 | $32,551,418 |
Funding Universal Free School Meals
How Can Hawai'i Fund UFSM?
By taxing wealth like work, closing the capital gains tax loophole for individuals and corporations would bring in up to
in annual revenue.2
By raising the corporate income tax to a flat 9%, the state could bring in up to
in annual revenue.3
How Have Other States Funded UFSM?
8 states have made school meals universal — funded in several ways:
Progress at the Legislature
Act 139 (SB 1300) passed during the 2025 legislative session, expanding the income threshold for free school meals to those earning below 300% of the federal poverty level, and eliminating the reduced-price category.
Equityon the menu
Universal Free School Meal (UFSM) programs offer up to two free, nutritious meals to all students — regardless of their financial situation.
Why do we need universal free school meals?
Struggling Hawai'i households still have to pay for school meals, eligible families fall through the cracks, and teachers cover the gap out of pocket.
Missed school meal applications
of students nationally who were denied free or reduced-price meals were actually eligible to receive them.4
Language barriers, problems providing income records, and fear of disclosing information can prevent families from completing the application accurately — or at all.
Teachers are affected, too
When students don't eat, teachers often have to provide their own snacks — paid for out of pocket.
"Every classroom in every school I have worked in has a snack drawer… the contents provided by the teacher. The teachers see a need to provide food and nourishment for students, so they do."5
How far do the income cutoffs reach?
SB 1300 phases in eligibility for families under 300% of the Federal Poverty Level — a step toward free school meals for all. Today's cutoff sits far below what a family of four needs to survive in Hawai'i (the ALICE survival budget, $107,796); only at the full 300% FPL phase does eligibility finally reach it.
SB 1300 only covers up to SY 26–27; see The Path Forward above for the full phase-in schedule and costs.
Who is still left out?
Keiki just
over the line
The income cutoff creates a cliff that will still leave many ALICE families behind.
Even a small change in income for ALICE families near the threshold could mean the difference between qualifying for free meals and bearing their full cost.
Public charter
school students
Public charter schools were not included in the passage of Act 139.
They serve the largest percentage of Native Hawaiian students in the public school system—14 percent more than HIDOE schools.
Keiki who fall
through the cracks
Income thresholds will never fully capture the population they are intended to cover because of the burden of paperwork, applications, even stigma, and lack of public education.
Of students nationally who were denied free or reduced-price meals were actually eligible to receive them.
Hungry keiki can't learn.
Universal free school meals are a proven, fundable way to make sure every Hawai'i student is fed and ready to learn.
Learn more at hiappleseed.org