Just like books and buses, school meals should be available at no cost to Tennessee kids. Let's work together to ensure more students have access to nutritious, no cost meals.
Table of Contents
Advocates need to engage elected officials early and often to educate them about the importance of school meals. This resource was created to help you communicate with your community, elected officials, and others. These tools will help you prepare for the 2025 legislative session.
- Why School Meals? Why Now?
- FRAC Report: The State of School Meals for All
- Join our Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids Tennessee Group!
- Advocate Talking Points
- One Pagers
- Template Press Release for Organizations
- Template Letter to the Editor for Individuals
- Sample Social Media Graphics
- Sample Social Media Posts
- Boilerplate Language to Share on Websites, Presentations, etc.
- FAQs
Why School Meals? Why Now?
In March 2020, the USDA issued COVID-19 related waivers to allow schools to provide meals at no charge to all students, no matter their household income. Because of these waivers, Tennessee avoided a serious spike in childhood hunger. But these waivers expired in June 2022, and many schools had to go back to paid, reduced-price, and free meals. School lunch debt rose.
Healthy meals are important to all students. Like books and buses, school meals should be available to students at no cost to their families. School meals support kids and when we support kids, everyone wins.
Pre-Session Advocate Talking Points
It's important that all advocates are sharing consistent messaging with their communities, other advocates, and legislators. Use these talking points when speaking to anyone about how state policy can positively impact kids in your community. Your expertise matters! Consider your own personal experience with school meals or how school meals support your organization's mission.
Informational One Pagers
These one pagers can be used in meetings with legislators, with partners, or with community members. Feel free to print and share.
Template Letter/Email to Your Legislators
This is just an example of written ways we can communicate with our legislators about school meals. Legislators want to hear from you especially if you're one of their constituents. Be sure to personalize your note. To find your legislator's contact information, use the Find My Legislator tool.
Template Press Release for Organizations
Legislators need to hear that this is an issue that's important to organizations serving the communities they represent. Customize this press release with information most relevant to your organization and community. Contact us if your press release is picked up by local media! We would love to share and amplify your message, Kate@tnjustice.org.
Template Letter to the Editor for Individuals
Are you an individual who cares about this issue? Write a letter to the editor of your local paper to bring attention to this policy priority. Customize this template letter and get tips for how to get your letter picked up by the press.
Sample Social Media Graphics
Make sure legislators know folks across Tennessee support school meals at no cost for all kids. Share your support on social media and tag your legislator when possible!
Sample Social Media Posts
Did you know that 1 in 8 TN kids are hungry? When basic needs aren't met, kids can't learn. School meals for all kids are the solution. #Schoolmeals4all
School meals are a critical response to hunger. Data shows that children who eat breakfast and lunch at school rely on school meals for half of their data intake. #Schoolmeals4all
The higher cost of school meals and rising inflation makes paying for breakfast and lunch increasingly difficult for many hardworking Tennessee families struggling to make ends meet. #Schoolmeals4all supports kids and families.
Boilerplate Language
1 in 8 Tennessee kids are hungry. School meals are a first-line response to this crisis. Let's work together to ensure more Tennessee kids have access to nutritious, no cost meals.
[Your Organization] is a member of Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids TN, a group of organizations and citizens passionate about expanding access to healthy schools meals for all kids. Interested in joining? Register here to receive regular updates!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids TN?
Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids TN is a statewide partnership working to bring policy solutions that expand access to school meals in Tennessee. The Tennessee Justice Center, Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee, the YMCA of Memphis and the Mid-South, and the Urban Child Institute lead this campaign. We have over 180 passionate advocates and 65 organizations working with us. Join us!
How do I stay up to date with other advocates?
Any organization is welcome to join our partner working group. We meet on the first Thursday of every month at 1 pm CT / 2 pm ET. Sign up to stay updated about upcoming meetings, advocacy updates, and action items.
Who do I contact if I have questions?
Contact the Tennessee Justice Center if you have any questions about Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids TN and our work, nutrition@tnjustice.org.
Who are my legislators?
Every Tennessean has representation in both the House and Senate. To find out who represents you in the Tennessee General Assembly, use the “Find My Legislator” tool.