More than 250 Alabamians gathered at the State House last month to urge lawmakers to expand no-cost school breakfast programs.

Last week, the Alabama House passed its version of the nearly $11 billion Education Trust Fund budget and now the spotlight shifts to the Senate.

LaTrell Clifford Wood, hunger policy advocate for the group Alabama Arise, said the state's one-time $7.3 million investment last year was a start but reaching every student would take roughly double the amount.

"Last year was the first year that no-cost school breakfast options were funded by the state," Clifford Wood explained. "However, not every Alabama student has access to a no-cost school meal if they attend a public school. And that's something we really want to strive for."

The House version of the budget now heads to the Senate with a teacher pay raise and level funding for literacy and numeracy programs. Advocates are pushing for a $14 million investment so all students are covered.

Clifford Wood argued investing in school breakfast pays off in better health and academics. She pointed to data showing as access to no-cost meals more than doubled between 2019 and 2024, literacy and numeracy scores also improved.

"School breakfast is a proven method to improve child health outcomes over time," Clifford Wood pointed out. "There is extensive research that shows that children who experience food insecurity in their childhood experience worse health outcomes in their adulthood, including not only physical but mental health."

The organization is tracking Senate Bill 57, which would limit SNAP purchasing choices. Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, who sponsors the bill, said, "The taxpayer shouldn't be funding sugar-type drinks that are contributing to our statewide obesity levels." Opponents call it paternalistic and costly to administer.

The bill stalled after an amendment and a vote is now scheduled for Wednesday. Similar proposals face lawsuits in five other states.

Source: Public News Service