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Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS) provides free meals to all students, adapting to diverse needs and increasing demand.

Potential cuts and policy changes threaten the free meal program and specialized food options.

DMPS officials are concerned about the impact of federal mandates on meal programs and student access to nutritious food.

Shortly after 7 a.m. during the school week, nutrition assistant Kristy Portillo can be found setting out the last mini boxes of blueberry Chex cereal, Nutri-Grain bars, drinks and a hot option like mini maple pancakes or a chicken-and-biscuit breakfast sandwich for Des Moines Public Schools students to grab on their way to class.

For the past 18 years, she's worked with other members of the district's Central Nutrition Center to ensur

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