Every school day across North Dakota, thousands of students walk into classrooms carrying more than backpacks and books. Many also carry the burden of wondering whether they will have enough to eat that day.
Hunger has no place in our classrooms, and ensuring every child has access to nutritious meals at school is one of the simplest, most effective ways we can support student success.
That’s why North Dakota United proudly supports Together for School Meals and the proposed constitutional measure that would make the state of North Dakota responsible for providing universal school meals for all students.
In North Dakota, we rightly have compulsory education laws that require our young people to attend school or be homeschooled. As I’ve mentioned ad nauseum, schools do not charge families for school-issued tablets, books or computers, or to participate in field experiences. The reason is that we recognize these things as necessary components of a well-rounded education. School meals are equally important.
Research and everyday experience tell us that students learn better when they are well nourished. When students have reliable access to breakfast and lunch at school, they are more focused, more engaged and better prepared to succeed academically. Teachers and education support professionals see the difference every day in classrooms across our state.
But this measure offers other benefits. If North Dakota voters approve this amendment, families could save more than $1,000 per student each year. At a time when families are facing rising costs for groceries, housing, childcare, fuel, and health and auto insurance, keeping that money in their pockets provides meaningful help with the affordability challenges every household is experiencing. Universal school meals would allow parents to redirect those savings toward other essential expenses while knowing their children are receiving healthy meals at school.
This proposal also reflects something deeper about North Dakota values. It recognizes that investing in our children is one of the most important responsibilities we share as a state.
That would explain why polling consistently shows that roughly 80 percent of North Dakotans support universal school meals. That level of agreement is rare in today’s political environment, and it speaks to the simple truth that caring for our children is something that unites us.
Passing this constitutional measure will also create opportunities for broader public engagement about the future of our schools and public services. When voters come together to support students and their families in this way, it opens the door to larger conversations about strengthening public education, investing in the educators and public service employees who support our communities, and ensuring that North Dakota continues to provide high-quality public services for generations to come.
North Dakota has always taken pride in looking out for our neighbors and building strong communities. Ensuring that every student has access to healthy meals at school continues that tradition.
By passing the school meals amendment, we can support student success, provide meaningful financial relief for families, and demonstrate once again that North Dakota believes in investing in its future. And as I have said many times, we, as a society, do not do anything more important than educating our future. Let’s do this!
Thank you for your great work in service to our neighbors across the state, and thank you for your membership in ND United!
