Universal free school meals may do more than help students get through the day with something to eat.
A new study published in Economic Inquiry found that schools adopting universal free meal policies saw reductions in out-of-school suspensions, suggesting that broader access to school meals may have benefits that extend beyond nutrition. The study does not prove that free meals directly caused better behavior in every school, but it adds to research examining how food access may shape the school day.
Researchers analyzed universal free meal policies across U.S. schools and used updated methods designed to better account for how those policies were adopted over time. They found that adopting universal meals was associated with an approximately 10% decrease in suspensions among elementary students and a 6% decrease among middle and high school students.
The effects were more pronounced in schools where fewer students had previously been eligible for free or reduced-price meals. That finding is notable because universal programs do not require families to apply or students to be singled out by income level. Instead, all students can receive meals at no cost.
That may matter for reasons beyond hunger. Universal meals can reduce stigma, simplify access and make school meals part of the normal daily routine for more students. While the study focused on suspensions rather than diet quality or health outcomes, the results suggest that making meals more widely available may influence school climate.
“Our findings highlight universal free meals as not just a nutrition policy, but a tool for improving school climate and equity—especially in schools that previously served fewer low‐income students,” said corresponding author Andres Cuadros-Meñaca, PhD, of the University of Northern Iowa.
Universal school meals became more widely available during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the U.S. Department of Agriculture granted waivers that allowed schools to serve all students free meals. Those federal waivers ended after Congress did not continue the funding needed to sustain the program in 2022.
Since then, states have taken different approaches. Some returned to the traditional system, where students qualify for free, reduced-price or full-price meals based on family income. Others have continued universal free meals or are weighing whether to adopt them.
The new study adds another factor to that debate: whether meal access may affect student behavior and discipline.
The researchers’ findings do not mean school meals are the only reason suspensions changed. School discipline is influenced by many factors, including staffing, school policies, student support services and broader community conditions. The study also does not show what students ate or whether their nutritional intake improved.
Still, the findings point to a practical idea: when meals are easier to access, the benefits may show up in ways that are not limited to the cafeteria. Students who are hungry, distracted or worried about being treated differently may have a harder time staying engaged during the school day.
For families, educators and policymakers, the study offers a broader way to think about school meals. They are not only a food program. They may also be part of the daily structure that helps students learn, participate and remain in class.
Funding information for this study was not available.