LBs 99 and 601 would go far in helping alleviate food insecurity among Nebraska families, especially its children, OpenSky Policy Institute said at a pair of hearings this week.

Universal school lunch program

LB 99 would provide free meals to all students in Nebraska’s K-12 schools, helping the one in seven children in the state experiencing food insecurity and setting all students up for better educational outcomes. Research shows that improved nutrition in schools results in increased focus and attention, improved test scores and better classroom behavior. Expanded access can also result in lower child obesity and food insecurity.

Making the school lunch program universal is also a good investment for the state. Not only does it reduce the administrative costs associated with processing paperwork, but ensuring universal access to school meals would create an economic benefit in the state. For every dollar invested in school meals, there is a $2 return in health and economic benefits. Recent research nationally found a $40 billion return on investment through improved health outcomes and poverty reduction from feeding 30 million children.

Investing in food innovations 

LB 661 would appropriate funds to the Department of Health and Human Services to support innovative solutions to food insecurity in the state. According to Feeding America, nearly 190,000 Nebraskans face food insecurity – about 1 in 10 – and this funding would help address these growing needs.

One recent recipient of Food Innovation Grant funds (which were previously allocated from ARPA dollars) is the Nebraska Extension’s Double Up Food Bucks program. This program is a 1:1 voucher program that turns every SNAP dollar into an additional dollar to purchase healthy local produce. The Double Up program has a 91% redemption rate and locations throughout the state, even in areas considered food deserts – defined as an area where a large proportion of low-income residents have low access to grocery stores or supermarkets.

This program, and others supported by the grants, not only help ease food insecurity throughout our state, but also help distribute state dollars throughout Nebraska, boosting local economies.

Upcoming event

Please join the OpenSky team as we provide a budget briefing with the Nonprofit Association of the Midlands at 12:15 p.m. on February 20, 2023. Registration available through NAM’s website.