On Tuesday, Gov. Josh Shapiro visited Penn Hills Elementary School in Allegheny County to promote the funding for a new program that will provide universal free breakfast for all K-12 public school students in Pennsylvania.

“As I’ve traveled Pennsylvania over the past few years, one thing I heard over and over again is about how many kids come to school hungry. Every expert will tell you that you can’t learn on an empty stomach – and we cannot expect kids to learn math and science and English when they haven’t eaten anything all day,” said Shapiro. “That’s why, in my budget address, I called for universal free breakfast to put every kid on the same playing field.” 

“This budget delivers on that promise to provide free breakfast to all 1.7 million public school students in Pennsylvania, because our students can’t learn on empty stomachs,” Shapiro continued. “Every student in Pennsylvania deserves the freedom to chart their own course and the opportunity to succeed – and this budget delivers for them.”

Because of our bipartisan budget, universal free breakfast is now a reality for every public school student in Pennsylvania.

I joined just a few of the 1.8 million students that will benefit from this to celebrate in Pittsburgh today. 🍎 pic.twitter.com/Z3HGuKTXUE

— Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) August 8, 2023

According to a release from the Shapiro administration, the 2023-2024 state budget includes a $567 million increase in basic education funding for Pennsylvania school districts and a $46.5 million increase to provide the universal free breakfast to Pennsylvania public school students. 

During Tuesday’s event, PA Education Sec. Dr. Khalid Mumin echoed Shapiro’s calls on the importance of the new program and overall education funding in the budget. 

“Before becoming Secretary, I spent over 25 years as a teacher, principal, and superintendent. I was in classrooms day in and day out,” said Mumin. “Perhaps better than any of my esteemed colleagues here, I know what this budget means for our schools.” 

“For the student in an underfunded school, this means getting the basic resources they need for a world-class education. For the student living with different abilities, this means access to an equitable education that breaks down barriers,” Mumin continued. “And for the public school student who comes to school with an empty stomach, this means a free breakfast — no matter what their family’s income. This budget is a historic investment in Pennsylvania schools.”