OHIO — There is a growing push among businesses and other organizations to implement universal school meals, especially since one in five kids are food insecure in Ohio.

What You Need To Know

  • Researchers polled hundreds of Ohioans across the state back in May 
  • Sixty-three percent surveyed were more supportive of kids getting breakfast and lunch, versus breakfast only
  • Experts said a universal meal program would increase demand for locally produced food 

Brian Tringali, a partner with the Tarrance group, said of he hundreds of Ohioans polled, 67%, or two-thirds of the Ohio electorate, supported a free breakfast and lunch in public schools for all children.

Tringali noted that it would cost taxpayers $3 million for a universal meal program.  

Getting a piece of legislation like this onto a ballot could spell good news for politicians in the state who would support a measure like it this election season.

“Looking at all political persuasions, Republican, Democrat, Independent, 43% reported, they would be more likely to support a candidate who supported this kind of legislation," he said.

For Tringali, this is positive news and a step in the right direction. That’s in addition to the fact that farmers could benefit greatly from such a program.

“It would actually increase demand for locally produced foods in and around the Ohio area, and that's a big deal too,” Tringali said.

So far, he noted that other states like Massachusetts are doing the same thing.