New Mexico's governor signs legislation to provide free school meals to all students regardless of income

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Monday signed legislation to provide free school meals to all students regardless of family income, as New Mexico and several other states look to fill the gap left by lapsed federal pandemic-era benefit programs and address the strain to family budgets caused by food prices.

The bill cleared the Legislature during the recent 60-day session, with lawmakers setting aside more than $22 million in the state budget to help pay for the program. Additional money will be used to improve school kitchens so healthier meals can be prepared.

"When we feed our children, we’re feeding our future – these investments today will yield benefits tomorrow through generations of healthier New Mexicans," the Democratic governor said in a statement issued after she celebrated with dozens of elementary school students.