A school lunch at this New York state school was 30 cents in 1943. 

Of all the things that Oregon could do to improve K-12 education, it may be best to invest in ensuring students are on a full stomach.

Most school districts give free breakfast and lunch to all students, about 94%. It doesn’t matter how much money a student’s family has.

Why not for the remaining 6%?

State Rep. Courtney Neron, D-Wilsonville, and House Majority Leader Ben Bowman, D-Tigard are planning a bill for the 2025 session to expand the program to all districts, as reported by The Oregon Capital Chronicle.

A universal meal program would cost the state about $62 million a year. It would generate more than six times that in matching funds from the federal government.

It’s hard to see what’s wrong with doing it except, of course, if there would be a better way to invest that $62 million in K-12 education.