A 2023 law mandating free meals for all New Mexico public school students faces growing fiscal and administrative challenges amid rising food costs and other factors.

A Legislative Finance Committee evaluation of the state’s Healthy Universal School Meals program found participation has gone up, particularly among higher-income students who didn’t previously qualify for free or reduced meals.

While the program significantly expanded student access to nutritious meals, its “long-term sustainability could be at risk due to rising costs and heavy reliance on federal reimbursements,” the report states.

“As federal support becomes more uncertain, strategic planning and robust accountability will be essential to maintain equitable access and fiscal viability,” according to the report, present

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