Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid conducted a survey of 309 public Minnesota school districts and found that 46 school districts (15%) reported “…a policy or practice of an immediate or eventual refusal to serve hot lunch or an alternative meal to a child who cannot pay.”

The report also found that:

• 165 districts offer a less nutritious meal option if a student cannot pay for the hot meal option
• 98 districts never refuse to serve a student the hot meal option even if they cannot pay

In response to the study, Governor Mark Dayton announced that he will pursue $3.5 million in additional funding, during the 2014 legislative session, to expand free lunch services to all reduced-price students in Minnesota