Leslie Haltbakk

Students learn better when they are eating well. Numerous studies show that adequate nutrition supports better learning, as well as physical and mental health. Recent data from the Food Research & Action Center shows that participation in free school meal programs reduces food insecurity, obesity rates, and poor health among participating students. Access to school meals improves attendance rates, as well as student behavior. This not only leads to stronger student performance, but greater educational attainment over the long-term, boosting the financial health of our state. Our support of the nutrition of Granite State children is an investment in our state's future workforce. With rising food costs (only going to rise more with Trump's tariffs and other policies!), food insecurity is a real issue for many families. The managers of local food pantries and food banks across the state have seen sizable increases in need over the past few years.