Since Minnesota launched the Free School Meals program, the Hunger-Free Schools Coalition have been listening to the people who know it best: students, parents and caregivers, and school nutrition staff.

Through evaluations conducted by The Food Group in 2024 and 2025, we explored how the program is working in schools, what’s making a difference for families and students, and where there are opportunities to make the program even stronger.

Explore the findings to hear directly from those experiencing and delivering free school meals and learn what we can do to ensure every student has access to the food they need to learn, grow, and thrive.