Guest blog by Ana Bustamante, Colorado State Manager at Save the Children Action Network

As a community organizer, I’ve sat in countless living rooms, school gymnasiums, and church basements across Colorado listening to parents share their struggles. Repeatedly, I hear the same story: families working hard, sometimes holding down multiple jobs, but still not able to afford enough food for their children. In fact, two out of five Colorado families struggle to afford food. 

I’ve met students who go to school hungry and try to push through the day without the nutrition they need. I’ve spoken with parents who’ve had to choose between paying rent and sending their child to school with lunch money. And I’ve heard the deep worry in their voices as they describe the embarrassment their children feel when they can’t afford a meal in the cafeteria. 

These stories remind me why Colorado’s Healthy School Meals for All programs are so important. Today, every student in our state can sit down to a nutritious breakfast and lunch at school. 

Why Healthy Meals Matter 

We know that hunger is one of the biggest barriers to learning. It’s nearly impossible to concentrate on a math test, participate in reading circles, or finish a science project when your stomach is empty. Nutrition fuels both body and brain, and without it, kids are at a disadvantage before they even try. 

That’s why Healthy School Meals for All is such a game-changer. Since voters passed this initiative, thousands of Colorado students are eating breakfast and lunch every day, free of charge – the program provides over 600,000 free, nutritious meals to Colorado students daily. No stigma. Just good, healthy food. 

Teachers and principals are already noticing the difference. Students are showing up more engaged, with the energy and focus they need to succeed. Classrooms are calmer. Cafeterias are fuller. Families are relieved. 

For parents, especially working families juggling rising costs, this program means one less thing to worry about, and savings of $1,250 per child each year. They can count on their kids getting two nutritious meals each school day—meals that give children the foundation to grow, learn, and thrive. 

The Success We’re Seeing 

Colorado schools are reporting higher participation in meal programs than ever before. That means more children are getting the nutrition they need and fewer are slipping through the cracks. Families no longer face the stress of unpaid meal debt, which was a burden not just on parents but also on school districts. 

Research shows what we’re seeing firsthand: students who have consistent access to healthy meals perform better academically, have improved attendance, and experience fewer health issues. Receiving a school lunch reduces poor health by at least 29% and is linked with fewer visits to the school nurse & reductions in behavioral problems. These benefits don’t just help kids today; they prepare them for brighter futures. 

And the ripple effect goes even further. Healthy meals support lifelong habits, reducing long-term healthcare costs and creating a stronger, more resilient workforce for Colorado’s future.  

A Fair Way to Pay 

Some have asked: how can we afford this? The truth is, we can’t afford not to. But the good news is, the program is funded in a fair and responsible way. 

Healthy School Meals for All is paid for by a small change in taxes on households making more than $300,000 a year. That means the wealthiest Coloradans, those who can most afford it, are contributing just a little more so that every child in our state can eat. 

This is not about politics. It’s about priorities. We all benefit when children have what they need to grow and succeed. 

Colorado as a Leader 

What makes me especially proud is that Colorado is helping lead a national movement. States from Maine to California are passing similar measures to make sure no child goes hungry at school. Together, we are proving that this isn’t just a dream—it’s possible. 

Colorado’s model has shown early success. Families are talking about the relief they feel. Kids are eating better. Communities are stronger. And policymakers in other states are looking to us as an example of what works. 

Everyone Deserves to Eat 

At the heart of this program is one simple truth: everyone deserves to eat. Food is not a privilege, it is a basic human need. Children should never have to wonder if they’ll be able to eat lunch at school. They should never have to feel ashamed because of their family’s income. 

When we say “Healthy School Meals for All,” we mean all. No child left out. No parent left behind. No community carrying the burden of hunger alone. 

Looking Ahead 

The work doesn’t stop here. We must continue to listen to families, support schools, and ensure that every child has access to nutritious food. We must protect this progress and build on it, making sure that no policy rollback puts children at risk of hunger again. 

Colorado voters made a bold, compassionate choice: to ask the wealthiest among us to contribute more so that every child could eat. That choice is already paying off in classrooms, in communities, and in families across our state. 

Healthy School Meals for All is proof that when we invest in children, we invest in Colorado’s future. After all, every child deserves the strongest possible start and that starts with something as simple, and as powerful, as a healthy meal. 

Call to Action

This November’s ballot will feature a measure concerning Healthy School Meals for All. More information is available at https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb25-1274.