Universal School Meals

Policy Committee    January 14, 2026

ENOLA, Jan. 14 – Recent federal action has triggered the largest reduction to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in history, placing thousands of Pennsylvania families at increased risk of hunger. Children who have already learned to go without will arrive at school hungry and without access to free meals, creating ripple effects in classrooms. Students experiencing hunger often struggle to focus, learn and succeed academically. Students, educators, administrators, and experts testified before the House Majority Policy Committee at a hearing at the East Pennsboro Middle School library, where they detailed the benefits of universal school meals, citing improved student engagement and stronger academic outcomes. 

• Host: Rep. Nate Davidson, D-Dauphin, Cumberland
• Testifiers:
  • Ashleigh Reedy- Alumna, Conrad Weiser High School
  • Jeff Ney- Vice President, Pennsylvania State Education Association
  • Ryan Argot, Ed.D- Director of Federal Programs, West Shore School District
  • Nicole Melia- Director of Food Services, Norristown School District
  • Meg Bruening- Professor of Nutritional Sciences, Penn State College of Health and Human Development
  • Lisa Quigley- Director of Solving Hunger, Tusk Philanthropies

Agenda + Testimony

• Hearing agenda and testimony: Universal School Meals

Media Release + News Coverage

• Universal school meals: Most direct path to stronger schools, January 14, 2026
• ABC 27, Universal free lunch and meal debt forgiveness could soon come to PA public schools, January 14, 2026
• Fox 43, State leaders discuss impact of hunger on student learning in Cumberland County, January 14, 2026

Video + Photos

• Click here to view the entire hearing
• Click here to view photos of the hearing