Cuts to SNAP, Medicaid could impact free school meals at high-poverty schools

By: Mackenzi Klemann

Outlets: Indiana Capital Chronicle

Published: July 17, 2026

Words: 723

Last Updated: 2 days, 14 hours ago

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Federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Medicaid could affect an unexpected population — students receiving free meals through school.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture relies on eligibility for means-tested programs like SNAP as a benchmark for the Community Eligibility Provision, which is a waiver for high-poverty school districts to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students.

Schools where at least 25% of students are enrolled in programs like SNAP are

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