Press Releases

EDGEWATER – U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) visited Edgewater Elementary School with leaders from Nourish Colorado and local school nutrition officials to tour the kitchen and advocate for increased federal support for school nutrition programs.

As a state legislator, Pettersen sponsored the referred measure that voters passed to create the Healthy School Meals for All (HSMA) program, which provides funding to schools like Edgewater Elementary to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students in public schools. Currently, HSMA is projected to face a funding shortfall this school year. This also comes as recent federal policy proposals outlined devastating cuts to federal nutrition programs, jeopardizing children’s access to free school meals. During the visit, Pettersen discussed the School Meals Expansion Act, legislation she supports to allow more schools to provide meals to students and ensure schools can continue to provide nutritious meals to Colorado children. 

“Having access to healthy, nutritious meals is the foundation for any child to focus on learning and to thrive in the classroom,” said Pettersen. “I’m proud to have sponsored the referred measure that voters passed to create the Healthy School Meals for All program, which has been a lifeline for families across Colorado – but we must work together across all levels of government to ensure programs like this can be successful. In Congress, I am working to support robust federal funding for school nutrition programs, so no child goes hungry in our schools.”