In her Zócalo Public Square essay, Nutrition Policy Institute researcher Monica Zuercher explores the benefits of universal school meals, a policy that gained momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic. With federal support, schools provided free meals to all students during the 2020-2022 school years, reducing food insecurity and stigma while improving equity and efficiency. Zuercher highlights California's leadership as the first state to continue universal school meals in 2022-2023, after federal funding ended. NPI research shows that universal school meals reduce stigma, eliminate meal debt and the subsequent burden on food service staff tasked at debt collection, and alleviate financial burdens on families, particularly in high cost-of-living areas. Universal school meals have also been associated with better student diet quality, academic performance, and attendance, making them a crucial investment in children's health and well-being. As of 2024, eight states have adopted this policy permanently. The article was published November 18, 2024 on Zócalo Public Square. Visit the NPI website to learn more about our universal school meals research.