After a months-long campaign, Proposition FF to fund Healthy School Meals for All has passed! This measure passed with a 55% yes vote statewide, and even earned a yes vote in El Paso County by a margin of 755 votes. Here’s what some of our team of supporters had to say in response to the news:
“We are incredibly grateful & encouraged by the Colorado voters, particularly by those in El Paso County who understood Prop FF to not be political or partisan, but understood that making sure that all kids in Colorado deserve to have a fresh hot meal at school without stigma, that through this measure, we are bolstering local Colorado economies, as well as rural farmers, and promoting and supporting scratch cooking in schools for healthier meals, kids, and communities.
We could not have done it without our amazing community members who were willing to share their stories, the more than 100 nonprofits who came out to support Prop FF, and to our coalition partners who have spent countless hours having thousands of conversations.” - Patience Kabwasa, Executive Director of Food to Power
“As a former kindergarten teacher, words cannot fully express my sincere joy in knowing that all school districts in the state of Colorado now have the option to engage in the Healthy School Meals for All program, and provide free breakfast and lunch to ALL their public school students! This will decrease stigma and anxiety for students in cafeterias about how much money they may have, this will increase healthy foods on school plates, and this is a huge step in addressing childhood hunger. I am proud to have voted Yes on FF, and am proud that my neighbors in El Paso County supported this incredible program!” -Isabel Alvarado, Systemic Change Organizer with the Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition
"Neighbors for Education celebrates the passing of Proposition FF with the families of public school students. Families no longer need worry about how to cover school lunch costs and students no longer have to bear the stigma of an overdue lunch bill. We are so proud of our community for coming together to proclaim that every student is valued and deserves to be fed." - Jennifer Williamson, Neighbors for Education
“Prop. FF is a big win for Colorado; this is a great step on a large path to ensuring our schools are taking care of the needs of all our students. Our children are not required to pay for the air they breathe, the water they drink, and now they are no longer required to pay for the food they consume. I’m proud of the work done in the community in getting this passed and hope all of the districts in our state choose to participate.” - Shay Dabney, SAC chair of Mitchell High School, Neighbors for Education
