DENVER, November 9, 2022 - The American Heart Association, the world’s leading voluntary organization focused on heart and brain health, issued the following statement in response to the passage of Proposition FF, Healthy School Meals for All which provides universal free meals for all public school students in Colorado. 

“With the election this week, Colorado took a huge step towards ending nutrition insecurity. Thanks to Colorado voters, all public school students will have access to nutritious meals at school.  With the passage of Proposition FF, Healthy School Meals for All, more than 60,000 kids whose families struggled to pay for school meals will have one less worry on their plates. 

“The American Heart Association is proud to be part of a large, diverse, statewide coalition of organizations that supported Proposition FF, Healthy School Meals for All. Studies show that providing kids with a healthy breakfast and lunch makes them more attentive and engaged in the classroom, leading to better grades, higher attendance rates, and higher graduation rates setting kids up for a healthier future.”