<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2zhmdF_0v6p5RuJ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2zhmdF_0v6p5RuJ00" width="980" height="653" ><figcaption>Shawn Powers</figcaption></figure><p>Wow, how times have changed! Remember the days when your parents would have to give you money daily so you could buy a school lunch? It looks like those days are over for all Michigan elementary, middle and high school students.</p><p>Earlier this year, Govenor Gretchen Whitmer was able to get a state budget passed that will include an additional $40 million for universally free breakfast and lunches for all public-school students, pre-K through grade 12.</p><p>Dr. Michael F. Rice, state Superintendent says, "The Michigan School Meals program fosters successful student learning and aligns with <a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm1pY2hpZ2FuLmdvdi9tZGUvLS9tZWRpYS9Qcm9qZWN0L1dlYnNpdGVzL21kZS90b3AxMC90b3BfMTBfbWlfc3RyYXRlZ2ljX2VkX3BsYW5fcHJvbWlzaW5nX3ByYWN0aWNlc18xX3BhZ2VyLnBkZj9yZXY9OGE5YWY3Mzg5MDk3NDcxYTk3MWRjNWU5N2Q0OGE2YTgmaGFzaD1FMUNEQjcwQjZDNTJGMTFDNTFFNEYyRDRBRDA0MDMzMyIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDA4MDYuOTg2Mzg2ODEifQ.RWUrdyCHBhh1qZpBslDyKwOYMgX4aiCQfw9oVoUhZwE%2Fs%2F605482912%2Fbr%2F246956998213-l&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cheadd%40michigan.gov%7C2dd5e0e2e1f946d7a2d208dcb61944ce%7Cd5fb7087377742ad966a892ef47225d1%7C0%7C0%7C638585468371341670%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=Dm5F6AmIeOwmIiO5ICtTpwKsRROBxjWRnCgQmJeTl80%3D&amp;reserved=0">Goal three of Michigan’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan</a> to improve the health, safety, and wellness of all learners.”</p><p>Last school year, the program provided over 76.3 million breakfasts and 135.6 million lunches. This year, they are projected to see that number climb.</p><p>The budget provides state reimbursement to schools for a free breakfast and lunch for public school students in schools that participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.</p><p>Michigan School Meals also supports Michigan’s agriculture and economy, by giving schools the opportunity to participate in their <a href="https://www.michigan.gov/mde/services/food/office-of-health-and-nutrition-services/10-cents-a-meal-for-michigans-kids-and-farms">Ten Cents a Meal Program</a> (which is funded by the state school aid budget). The program encourages schools to purchase Michigan-grown fruits, vegetables, and dry beans by giving schools an additional 10 cents per meal when local produce is served within school meals. This helps alleviate a financial burden for Michigan families, while eliminating the negative stigma associated with participating in school meal programs.</p><p>Although families do not need to pay for meals, they are asked to complete family income forms so their local schools may be eligible for additional educational funding.</p><h2>A Nostalgic Look Back at Flint's Safetyville</h2><p>If you grew up in the Flint area back in the late 60s to early 80s, there is a good chance your first time behind the wheel was on the streets of Safetyville. Safetyville was a miniature cityscape designed to teach kids the rules of the road and lessons in safety in a fun atmosphere. The pint-size city featured sidewalks, roads, miniature buildings, street signs, signals, and small electrically-powered cars.</p></div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

MICHIGAN SCHOOL MEALS PROGRAM: A WIN FOR STUDENTS AND LOCAL AGRICULTURE

Wow, how times have changed! Remember the days when your parents would have to give you money daily so you could buy a school lunch? It looks like those days are over for all Michigan elementary, middle and high school students. Earlier this year, Govenor Gretchen Whitmer was able to...