House Floor Session: HF5 Passes on February 9, 2023

After passing the House Education Policy committee, House Education Finance committee, and House Ways and Means committee, Rep. Sydney Jordan’s (60A) bill (HF5), proposing free school lunch and breakfast provided for all K-12 students in Minnesota, was heard on the House floor on Thursday, February 9, 2023 at 3:30 pm.

After an hour long recess and two-and-a-half hour long floor debate, the bill passed along party lines.

Rep. Sydney Jordan (60A) is the lead author of this bill. Additional bill authors include:

Youakim, Clardy, Keeler, Feist, Stephenson, Xiong, Her, Pryor, Hassan, Berg, Coulter, Curran, Becker-Finn, Hanson, J., Kozlowski,  Lee, K.,  Norris, Olson, L., Cha,  Carroll, Vang, Hill, Hemmingsen-Jaeger,  Brand, Pursell, Bierman, Hollins, Acomb, Tabke, Liebling, Noor, Hicks,  Hortman,  Sencer-Mura

We heard emotional pleas from representatives on the importance of this bill. Kids can’t learn when they’re hungry. Data shows that students who have access to school meals have higher attendance rates, better grades, and are able to focus more on their school work. Moreover, free school meals for all students allows teachers and school staff to do their real jobs, rather than chasing down student debt or trying to get hungry kids to focus in the classroom. Investing in hunger-free schools is an investment in kids, families, and schools across Minnesota. 

Quotes from the House floor session

“The current status quo is letting Minnesota students go hungry.” – Rep. Jordan

“This is a bill to make sure students have an adequate and healthy breakfast and lunch. We know that lunch shaming is a problem, but this problem can be solved by feeding children.” – Rep. Jordan

“Every student, every day is going to have access to food. The basics of life. No child will have to be embarrassed.” – Rep. Pryor

"This is about dignity for our kids." – Rep. Long, House Majority Leader