The Michigan Department of Education is encouraging districts to serve free breakfast and lunch to all students through Sept. 30, when the budget year ends.

Michigan's free meals program is not guaranteed in the next state budget, which has not yet passed.

One parent said the uncertainty of the program's fate is difficult for budgeting.

At the beginning of the school year in Michigan, students at most public schools can head to their school cafeteria and have lunch for free, part of a program the state started funding in the 2023-24 school year. And in the morning, they're guaranteed breakfast.

But by October, that might not be the case, as the Michigan School Meal's program's future could hang in the balance. School leaders and food service directors are waiting for state lawmakers to

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