The Nashua School District has launched a universal free breakfast program at all 18 of its schools, ensuring that every student — regardless of family income — starts the day with a nutritious meal at no cost.
The program, which began at the start of the spring semester, is funded through a combination of federal nutrition assistance programs and a $280,000 supplement from the district’s operating budget. It serves approximately 12,500 students across elementary, middle, and high school campuses.
“We know that hungry kids can’t learn,” said Superintendent Dr. Javeed Siddiqi. “By removing the stigma and the paperwork, we’re making sure every child walks into their first class ready to focus.”
A key feature of the program is its “breakfast in the classroom” model at elementary schools, where meals are delivered to homerooms rather than served in the cafeteria. Research has shown that this approach significantly increases participation because students don’t have to arrive early or eat separately from their peers.
At Nashua’s Elm Street Middle School, cafeteria manager Donna Pelletier said participation has roughly doubled since the universal program launched. “Before, a lot of kids who needed breakfast wouldn’t come because they didn’t want to be seen as ‘the free lunch kid.’ Now everyone eats, and nobody thinks twice about it.”
The district worked with local farms and food suppliers to incorporate fresh, locally sourced items into the breakfast menus, including fruit from New Hampshire orchards and dairy products from regional farms. Menus rotate weekly and include options for students with dietary restrictions.
Board of Education member Catherine Sapeta, who championed the initiative, said the response from families has been overwhelmingly positive. “Parents have told me this takes real pressure off their mornings and their budgets. That’s what public education should do — support the whole child.”
The district plans to evaluate the program’s impact on attendance, academic performance, and student wellbeing at the end of the school year, with the goal of securing permanent funding for continuation.
