Boise State News February 23, 2021 Carrie Quinney photo Families in need of food assistance often rely on free and reduced-cost school meals to meet their students’ nutritional needs, to keep their children focused in class and provide energy for their activities. Yet barriers persist in ensuring that all students who need free or reduced-cost meals at school get them. Studies have shown that requiring application paperwork from families and the social stigma associated with receiving free school meals can prevent qualifying families from participating altogether. One proposed solution that has been tested at high-need schools is providing universal free meals, where all students receive free breakfast and lunch regardless of income.