CONTRIBUTED BY ALABAMA ARISE
ALABAMA — Alabama should ensure access to no-cost breakfast for every child in the state’s public schools, Alabama Arise Action members told legislators Tuesday.
More than 210 Arise supporters gathered this week at the State House in Montgomery alongside dozens of members of the Alabama School Nutrition Association (ASNA) to show support for expanding no-cost school breakfast. The advocates urged legislators to provide $14 million next year to ensure no-cost breakfasts are available for every child in participating Alabama public schools.
The request would be less than 0.14% of Gov. Kay Ivey’s proposed $10.5 billion Education Trust Fund budget for fiscal year 2027. And that funding would provide long-term benefits for the people of Alabama, speakers at Arise’s news conference said Tuesday.
“Healthy school meals at no cost for all students are not an expense,” ASNA president Cacyce Davis said. “They are an investment in families. They are an investment in communities. And they are an investment in the future workforce of our state.”
ASNA members and Rep. Barbara Drummond, D-Mobile, joined Arise advocates at the news conference, which was part of Arise’s annual Legislative Day event.
Building on last year’s investment in child nutrition
Alabama lawmakers took an important step forward on child nutrition in 2025 by appropriating $7.3 million to expand access to no-cost school breakfasts for more public schools. More than 190,000 children have benefited from this investment in making school meals more readily available.
Arise advocates are asking lawmakers to provide $14 million in school breakfast funding next year so Alabama can maintain and build upon last year’s progress.
“That investment [in 2025] made a meaningful difference for districts across Alabama and for thousands of children who depend on school breakfast to start their day,” Davis said. “Because of that support, more students are walking in the classroom nourished and ready to learn.”
Access to no-cost school meals in Alabama has nearly doubled since 2019, and English and math scores have improved significantly during that time. Drummond, a longtime supporter of increased investment in food access, said the growth of no-cost school breakfast in recent years has helped improve academic achievement for many Alabama students.
“A healthy breakfast is the first lesson of the day,” Drummond said. “It fuels young minds before the bell even rings. When children eat in the morning, they learn better all day.”
Davis said she has seen the power of no-cost school breakfast in her roles as ASNA president and child nutrition director for Elmore County schools.
“When breakfast is offered at no charge to students, participation increases. Attendance improves,” Davis said. “Nurses report fewer morning stomachaches and headaches. Teachers see better focus and behavior in classrooms. Families experience meaningful financial relief. And academic outcomes improve.”
‘It’s about our children’
Dr. Shakita Brooks Jones, board president of Alabama Arise Action, said ensuring that children have the nutrition they need to learn and thrive is a moral issue.
“We believe in breaking down policy barriers that limit opportunity,” Jones said. “We believe public policy should make it easier, not harder, for struggling families to make ends meet. And we believe no one in our state should be hungry, especially not schoolchildren.”
Drummond said she agreed on the need to invest more in child nutrition. She encouraged people across Alabama to ask their lawmakers to support a $14 million state allocation for no-cost school breakfast.
“I am energized,” Drummond said. “From Mobile all the way to the Wiregrass to Huntsville, we can make this happen. Because it’s not about us. It’s about our children.”
About Arise
Alabama Arise Action is a statewide, member-led nonprofit organization advancing public policies to improve the lives of Alabamians who are marginalized by poverty. Arise’s membership includes faith-based, community, nonprofit and civic groups, grassroots leaders and individuals from across Alabama. Alabama Arise Action is the 501(c)(4) partner organization of Alabama Arise.
