Office of Lt. Governor David Zuckerman
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 5th, 2023
Contact
Lisa Gerlach
Chief of Staff, Office of the Lt. Governor
(802) 636-7047
Lisa.gerlach@vermont.gov
NEWS: Lt. Governor Zuckerman Releases Statement on Universal School Meals
MONTPELIER, Vt: On Friday, Lt. Governor David Zuckerman released the following statement after H.165, an act relating to school food programs and universal school meals, passed second reading in the Senate:
“Every Vermont child should have equal access to the things that they need to thrive in school, from textbooks to nutritious food. We have been offering universal school meals to children in Vermont since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The outcomes have been phenomenal. We have seen the destigmatization of free school meals. We have seen improved focus in classrooms. We have seen improved educational outcomes for students of all economic circumstances. I am glad that we have taken the steps to ensure that this program will continue, and that no student will learn what hunger feels like in school.
“When I was first sworn in as Lieutenant Governor in 2017, I gave each Senator a dry bean as a metaphor for our youth. Each bean has the potential to become a thriving plant. However, that potential can be impacted positively or negatively by its environment. Our job as state policy makers is to make the environment for each child as conducive as we can for them to thrive. H.165 is one of the most consequential bills we have passed to fulfill that goal, and it will help all Vermont children live to their utmost potential.”
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