NEW BALTIMORE, Mich. (March 7, 2025) — During National School Breakfast Week, Sen. Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores) stopped by Lighthouse Elementary School to serve students a nutritious morning meal and see firsthand the positive impact of the Michigan School Meals program, which offers breakfast and lunch to all public school students, free of charge to families. In response to the visit, Sen. Hertel provided the following statement:
“Making sure every child has access to a healthy breakfast and lunch at school isn’t just about food — it’s about setting our students up for success. This program ensures no child has to worry about where their next meal is coming from, allowing them to focus their attention on the whiteboard, thrive academically, and reach their fullest potential.
“And as a father, I know firsthand how beneficial this program is to parents as well. Not only do less families have to worry about making breakfast or packing a lunch during hectic mornings, but Michigan School Meals helps them save over $850 a year on grocery bills, allowing them to redirect those funds to cover other daily necessities or start saving for their children’s higher education costs.”
In the Legislature, Sen. Hertel serves on the appropriation committee responsible for crafting the K-12 education budget and has been a staunch advocate for Michigan students, parents, and teachers — working to ensure everyone has the resources they need to set our youngest Michiganders up for success both inside and outside of the classroom. In addition to supporting the school meals program, Sen. Hertel has championed legislation and secured investments to:
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Unlock over $600 million in flexible funding for school districts across Michigan to invest in school safety, mental health, teacher salaries, and more.
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Provide important cost savings for teachers by eliminating their required contribution to the Michigan Other Post-Employment Benefits fund.
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Require schools to screen students for characteristics of dyslexia and provide evidence-based interventions to improve literacy rates.
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Equip schools to safeguard students’ health by ensuring every Michigan school has an AED and trained personnel ready to quickly respond to medical emergencies on and off the field.
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Ensure students and teachers have access to clean drinking water in school.
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Support local schools bolster their Career and Technical Education programming, increase the amount of Pre-K slots they can provide, and improve their infrastructure.
