Free school meals for K-12 students
As part of Washington's 2026 legislative session, Governor Ferguson secured funding for free breakfast and lunch for all K-12 students in the state, funded in part through the new millionaires' tax. The governor described this as a priority he had held since his campaign, aimed at ensuring children are ready to learn regardless of their family's financial situation.
Should Washington state fund free breakfast and lunch for all K-12 public school students?
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Sources
Governor Bob Ferguson — https://governor.wa.gov/news/2026/governor-ferguson-comment-2026-legislative-session
It also saves working parents money and ensures our kids are prepared to learn by investing in affordable childcare and funding free breakfast and lunch for all Washington K-12 students. That has been a priority of mine since I ran for governor.
Positions on this issue · liberal → conservative
- Provide free universal school meals and expand other nutrition programs to support all children's health and learning.
- Fund free meals for all K-12 students as a proven investment in children's education and well-being.
- Provide free meals only to income-eligible students; universal free meals are too costly for the state budget.
- Limit state school meal subsidies and encourage families to take personal responsibility for feeding their children.
- Eliminate state-funded school meal programs and rely on federal programs or private charity to meet student needs.