Citizen-led initiative to gather signatures for free school lunches in North Dakota

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Over the last few years, lawmakers have discussed the possibility of making school lunches free for all K-12 public schools in North Dakota. And this year, a citizen-led initiative is taking its chances by asking their community.

“We want to bring free school meals, which include breakfast and lunch, to all students in North Dakota. We want to do this to ensure that we have well-fed, nurtured children who have good attendance, and who are learning, and growing strong in our communities,” said Amy Jacobson, Coalition member for Together for School Meals.

Together for School Meals has switched their focus from the legislature to the ballot. Their goal is to reach 32,000 signatures by November.

“Right now what we’re doing is training as many North Dakotans to be able to carry those clipboards as possible. So that when I, as a mom, am out in the community and talking with my friends and other students and my child’s friends, I can ask them if they want to sign on. So a lot of it is going to be individual North Dakotans signing those petitions,” said Jacobson.

Organizers will start gathering signatures in the coming days. And the topic could come up during the special session next week.

“You can’t learn very well if you’re hungry. You can’t maintain your health if you don’t have food. You can’t grow physically, properly. So it’s a basic need, and we got the children already at the school, they’re already at the place where children gather, so let’s feed them while they’re there,” said Sen. Tim Mathern, (D) Fargo.

Together for School Meals will be hosting informational training sessions this month.

More information can be found here.