North Dakota group pushes for free school meals ballot measure

Together For School Meals coalition submits 57,000 signatures to get proposal on the ballot

Apr. 10, 2026 at 4:58pm

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A photorealistic painting of a simple school cafeteria lunch tray filled with food, bathed in warm, golden light and surrounded by deep shadows, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation about the importance of providing nutritious meals to students.The push for free school meals in North Dakota aims to provide nourishment and support for students and families.Bismarck Today

A coalition advocating for free school lunches in North Dakota has delivered 57,000 signatures to the Secretary of State's Office, hoping to put a measure on the ballot that would provide free breakfast and lunch for all students. The group, called Together For School Meals, gathered the signatures in just over 100 days, and estimates the program would cost around $133 million in the 2027-2029 budget cycle.

Why it matters

Access to free and nutritious school meals is a critical issue for many families, especially those facing food insecurity. This ballot measure could help ensure all North Dakota students have access to the meals they need to learn and thrive, regardless of their family's financial situation.

The details

The Together For School Meals coalition gathered 57,000 signatures in just over 100 days to put a measure on the ballot that would provide free breakfast and lunch for all North Dakota students. Estimates show the program would cost around $133 million in the 2027-2029 budget cycle.

  • The signatures were delivered to the Secretary of State's Office on Thursday, April 10, 2026.

The players

Together For School Meals coalition

A group advocating for free school lunches in North Dakota.

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What’s next

If the signatures are verified, the measure will be placed on the ballot for North Dakota voters to decide.

The takeaway

This ballot measure represents a grassroots effort to ensure all North Dakota students have access to free, nutritious meals at school, which could have a significant impact on student health, learning, and family budgets.