Millions of U.S. children could lose free school meals this fall due to SNAP changes, experts say

TL;DR

New tax-and-spending law ('One Big Beautiful Bill Act') alters SNAP, leading to potential loss of free school meals for children.
4.5 million people, including 1.5 million children, may have lost food stamps, impacting school meal access.
Students on SNAP are automatically eligible for free school meals; losing benefits ends this eligibility.
Fewer children on SNAP can disqualify schools from the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which offers universal free meals.
Urban Institute analysis suggests 18.3 million students could lose access to free school meals.
Miami-Dade School District is scaling back its free meal program due to decreased CEP qualification.
Families may face additional food costs, and difficult choices between groceries and other necessities.
Individual applications for free meals are possible but can be burdensome.
Unpaid meal debt at schools has risen, and food prices are significantly higher.
Future funding changes to SNAP may lead states to withdraw from the program, further impacting meal access.

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