CALL TO ACTION FOR SCHOOL MEALS!

Advancing Greenwich’s food security initiatives by

strengthening & leveraging relationships, knowledge and networks

CALL TO ACTION

The Connecticut legislature is back in session, and it is time to advocate for free school meals. PLEASE consider submitting written testimony by Tuesday, February 17th – and invite friends to join you!

The Governor’s Proposed FY27 Budget (H.B. 5032) includes funding to support free breakfast for all public-school students in CT and free lunch for all public-school students who qualify for reduced cost lunches. The Appropriations Committee will hold a public hearing on the Governor's Proposed FY 27 Budget Adjustments for Elementary and Secondary Education Agencies on Tuesday, February 17 at 3:00pm.

CONTEXT

- Governor Lamont included a similar line item in his FY2026 budget, however,

the line item was removed by the Appropriations Committee. The funding removal, combined with the end of ARPA funds, was a set back in food security progress for Connecticut's students.

- Connecticut currently overtakes Maine for the highest food insecurity rate in New England (14.3% of the population) and the 3rd highest rate among all Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states (behind only West Virginia at 15.7% and New York at 14.5%.)

GREENWICH DATA

27% of Greenwich residents live at or below the ALICE threshold
Greenwich Living Wage Baseline: $145,000 for a four-person household
Minimum income required for eligibility for family of four: $41,795 (free lunch) & $59,478 (reduced lunch)

ALICE = Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed

TESTIMONY RESOURCES

Please consider submitting written testimony to the Appropriations

Committee. Free school meals are a significant and effective food security measure. Testimonies from Greenwich residents are very important!

GOALS

Our ultimate goal is free breakfast AND LUNCH for all CT students -- however – for Tuesday's testimony our goals are:

1.) Celebrate the Governor for including free breakfast for all public-school students and free lunch for all public-school students who qualify for reduced cost lunches.

2.) Ask the Appropriations Committee to keep both school meal investments in the budget.

3.) Flood the Appropriations Committee with testimony supporting free school meals.

DATA

- Greenwich food insecurity data: here

- GPS free and reduced lunch Income Eligibility Guidelines: here

- Coastal and Western CT food insecurity data: here

WRITE & SUBMIT TESTIMONY

- Testimony template: here

- Portal to submit written testimony: here

- Portal to sign up to speak via zoom: here

- YouTube should you be interested in watching the hearing: here

SHARE YOUR TESTIMONY

Senator Fazio - Education + Finance Committee - email here

Rep Tina Courpas - Education + Appropriations Committee - email here

Rep Steve Meskers Chair, Commerce Committee - email here

Rep Hector Arzeno Environment + Education Committee - email here

2025 STATE OF FOOD INSECURITY IN CONNECTICUT

Christian Duborg, Food and Nutrition Policy Analyst at The Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity & Opportunity, announced the release of the 2025 State of Food Insecurity in Connecticut Report. The findings are remarkable! Connecticut now has the highest rate of food insecurity in all of New England and invests the least amount of funding into assuring every resident in Connecticut has access to food.

Learn more about the findings & recommendations.

2025 State of Food Insecurity in Connecticut Report here
2025 Food and Nutrition Workgroup Report here
Webinar presentation including response from CT legislators here

WE have the power to be food system changemakers.