Michigan and other states have built upon pandemic-era federal application waivers that allowed students to receive free meals at school, no matter their families’ income. Approximately 90% of U.S. school districts participated in the program during the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 school years — and millions of children benefited. Having seen the gains students made under the program, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, and Vermont passed legislation to continue serving free meals to students. Nearly 30 other states are considering similar plans.