GOP Senator in Minnesota Opposes Free School Lunches Despite High Food Insecurity Rates
A Republican state senator in Minnesota has come under fire for opposing a proposal to provide free school lunches to children in need, claiming that he has never met anyone in the state who is hungry.
However, nearly one in six children in Minnesota experience food insecurity, according to anti-hunger groups.
During a recent debate on the proposal, State Senator Heather Gustafson argued that providing free school lunches was not only the right thing to do, but also crucial for students’ academic success.
She emphasized that hungry students have a difficult time learning, and that feeding them is essential for their overall well-being.
However, State Senator Steve Drazkowski opposed the proposal, claiming that he had yet to meet anyone in Minnesota who lacked access to enough food to eat.
He argued that hunger was a relative term and that he himself had had a cereal bar for breakfast that day.
Despite Drazkowski’s argument, the legislation was ultimately passed with a 38-26 vote.
Once the bill is signed, Minnesota will join other states such as California and Colorado in providing free meals to students in need.
The high rates of food insecurity among Minnesota’s children highlight the urgent need for programs like free school lunches.
While some lawmakers may be unaware of the extent of hunger in their communities, it is clear that many children are struggling to access enough food to eat.
