Niles, Benton Harbor Schools continue free meals for students amid budget uncertainty

NILES, Mich. -- School districts across Michigan are facing funding concerns as the first day of school approaches on Monday while state lawmakers in Lansing have yet to finalize the education budget.

The state missed its July 1 deadline to pass the school aid budget. With just over a month before the new fiscal year begins on Oct. 1, school administrators and parents are unsure about the future of several key programs, including free school meals.

Michigan’s universal free meals program, which provides all students with breakfast and lunch at no cost, is currently only funded through the end of September.

The lack of a finalized budget has created confusion and concern about whether the program will continue during the upcoming school year.

In Niles, where approximately 3,000 students are returning to classrooms on Monday, new superintendent Adam Burtsfield wants families to know the district will continue providing both breakfast and lunch, regardless of the state’s decision.

Burtsfield said the district has set aside funds to continue the meal program through the 2025–26 school year but added that the uncertainty from Lansing is putting pressure on local leaders.

"We just want to make sure that our community rests assured that we found ways to ensure that we’re going to continue to have free lunches and breakfast for our students for the 25-26 school year and ensure that every student gets an opportunity to have a healthy meal and just be ready to learn on a daily basis," Burtsfield said.

Meanwhile, Benton Harbor Area Schools have also confirmed all students will continue receiving free meals when they return on Monday.

In a statement, the district's Food Service Director, Quinn Tabbert, said that they don't expect any changes to their meal program, regardless of whether the state program is renewed.

"We do not anticipate any impact on our ability to provide free meals to students if the proposed statewide free meals program does not pass. BHAS has participated in a national program granting free meals to all students in our district called the Community Eligibility Program (CEP), which has been in existence prior to the state program," stated Tabbert.