For families in Murray, ensuring children have access to nutritious meals at school is important for their learning and well-being. The Utah legislative session brought about discussions and new laws impacting school lunch programs. While a proposal for universal free meals did not pass, a significant bill focused on food security did, bringing important changes for the upcoming school year.

Understanding the Focus on Food Security: HB 100

During the recent legislative session, there was considerable discussion around ensuring all students have access to school meals, including Senate Bill 173 (SB 173), which proposed a universal free school meals program. While SB 173 ultimately did not pass, another crucial piece of legislation, House Bill 100 (HB 100) – Food Security Amendments, was successfully enacted into law and took effect July 1, 2025.

HB 100 directly addresses food insecurity by expanding eligibility for free school lunches. This bill focuses on a specific group of students who previously fell into a challenging gap: those whose families qualified for reduced-price meals under federal guidelines.

What HB 100 Means for Your Family: Eligibility and Applications

Starting with the 2025-26 school year, HB 100 eliminates the reduced-price lunch category in Utah. This means that if your student previously qualified for reduced-price meals, they will now receive their school lunch at no charge. This change is anticipated to provide free school lunches for an additional estimated 40,000 students statewide.

It’s important for parents to understand that to determine if your student “qualifies” for these free meals, you will still need to complete the annual Free and Reduced-Price School Meal Application. This application process is crucial for verifying household size and income levels against federal guidelines, which then establishes eligibility for the National School Lunch Program benefits. Students who are directly certified through participation in programs like SNAP or TANF may not need to apply, but for most families, the application remains the necessary step to qualify for this benefit.

The law requires Local Education Agencies (LEAs), including the Murray, to provide lunch at no cost to eligible students. The state board will reimburse LEAs for the difference between federal reimbursement rates for a free meal and what was previously a reduced-price meal, subject to legislative appropriations.

Key provisions of HB 100 also include important protections for students:

• No Stigmatization: Schools are prohibited from publicly identifying or stigmatizing any student who is unable to pay for a meal.
• No Chores for Meals: Students cannot be required to perform chores to pay for a meal unless that requirement applies equally to all students, regardless of their meal payment status.
• Parent-Directed Communication: Any communications regarding a student’s meal debt must be directed only to the student’s parent or guardian, not the student.

Broader Impact and School Practices

Beyond direct eligibility changes, HB 100 also encourages schools to adopt practices that help reduce food waste. This includes promoting wellness policies that emphasize efficient meal scheduling and adequate eating time, and encouraging the establishment of “share table programs” where students can return unopened, uneaten food or beverages for redistribution to other students.

What This Means for Murray City School District Parents

For parents in the Murray City School District, the most direct impact of HB 100 will be on families whose children previously received reduced-price lunches. These students will now receive lunches for free, removing that daily cost, provided they meet the qualification criteria through the application process. For all families, the bill’s anti-stigmatization measures aim to create a more supportive and inclusive environment around school meals.

The Murray City School District will be implementing the provisions of HB 100, adjusting our meal programs and policies to align with these new state requirements. We understand that you may have questions about how these changes affect your family specifically. Our district and school nutrition services team are here to provide assistance and clarity. We will share more detailed information as the new school year approaches and are ready to answer your questions to ensure your children continue to receive the support they need to succeed.