John,

We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to learn and thrive in safe and welcoming schools. We also know that learning and thriving is nearly impossible on an empty stomach. That’s why we’ve been working to expand school meal and nutrition programs, pressuring Congress to make healthy school meals for all a permanent program, and providing free, healthy meals to students and their families throughout the pandemic.

In honor of National School Lunch Week (Oct. 11-15), we want to hear from you. Click here to tell your story about how school meals would help your community.

The coronavirus pandemic has shined a light on inequities in our communities and how they affect students. It’s also shown us that providing healthy school meals for all is beneficial for students’ academic achievement and cost-effective for schools. Yet we still haven’t addressed the full scope of hunger in our schools and communities. In the United States, 13.9 percent of households with children experience hunger.

It is time to make healthy school meals for all a permanent part of the public school system, to ensure all students have the food they need, regardless of geography or demography.

That’s why we want to hear from you. Tell your story about how school meals would benefit your community, and let’s show lawmakers how vital it is to provide healthy school meals for all.

No child should be expected to learn when they’re hungry. Let’s show our communities why school meals are so important, and work to make sure every hungry child is fed so all our children can thrive.

In unity,
Randi Weingarten
AFT President