DENVER (KDVR) — Two questions all voters in the state will see this year deal with funding for the Healthy School Meals for all Program. While each question is a little different, funding for the program’s future is at the heart of both.
“A couple of years ago, voters passed the Healthy School Meals for All by a big margin. The program was a success right away,” said Ana Bustamante, Save the Children Action Network Colorado State Manager.
Some could argue it was too much of a success. Families across Colorado took the state up on its offer to feed students breakfast and lunch for free after passing Proposition FF in 2022.
Fast forward to now, the program will run out of money by the end of this year unless voters step in.
“We realized that there was not enough funds for the program. So the grand portion of it was not implemented. That part is the locally sourced, made-from-scratch portion of it. And also the higher wages for cafeteria workers,” said Bustamante.
You will see two funding proposals for the program on your ballot. A ‘yes’ on Proposition LL would allow the state to spend $12.4 million in excess revenue already collected for the program.
It would also allow the state to maintain the tax deduction limits on people making more than $30,000 a year; the original measure called for those limits to be lowered in 2026.
Prop MM would lower that limit down to $1,000 for single filers and $2,000 for joint filers. It would increase the amount of money these taxpayers owe, bringing in an extra $95 million for the program. If it passes, the state plans to use any extra money to help fund SNAP. Would voters say ‘yes’ to an increase in income taxes for some? Supporters said the program is worth it.
“Every family, on average, will be able to save $1,300 per child per month by getting the meals through the school. Folks can look at the Blue Book for the exact numbers depending on where they are on the income bracket, but on average, it is about $450 extra dollars a year,” Bustamante said.
“One place where kids know that they can get a good meal is at school. Right? So if the ballot measures don’t pass, it will end by the end of the year,” Bustamante continued. “So, we want to make sure that kids don’t have to worry about what’s going to happen at the federal level because Coloradans all agree that they should be able to get a good meal every day.”
Opponents argue that the program is already costly, with some meals going uneaten. A measure was passed at the state capitol this year calling on schools to implement food waste reduction programs.
Anthony Sutton is a business strategist and writer with a passion for management, leadership, and entrepreneurship. With years of experience in the corporate world, he shares insights on business growth, strategy, and innovation through management-opleiding.org.
