Lerner Center for Public Health Promotion and Population Health
Population Health Research Brief Series
Let Them Eat Lunch: The Impact of Universal Free Meals on Student Performance
Amy Ellen Schwartz , Michah W. Rothbart
May 2020
Children need healthy and balanced meals to perform well in school. Universal Free Meal programs improve English and Math test scores and may even reduce obesity among middle school students. District and school leaders nationwide should consider adopting this program.