In today's rapidly evolving educational landscape, many families are choosing virtual public schools for their children — whether due to safety concerns, special needs, or educational opportunities their brick-and-mortar schools can’t provide.

Yet, virtual public school students are excluded from essential programs like the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), which since 1946 has provided free and reduced-price meals to millions of children in traditional schools. This exclusion disproportionately affects families facing food insecurity and those caring for children with special needs, all of whom struggle to provide daily meals without assistance.

It is estimated that at least 57% of full-time virtual students are eligible for free lunch. This number represents more than 347,000 students.

Why Virtual Students Don’t Currently Qualify 

The NSLP was written decades ago before policymakers could even fathom students learning anywhere outside of a traditional classroom. Because of this, the policy requires all free or reduced meals to be served at physical school buildings. As a result, full-time virtual students are not receiving the same nutrition benefits as their brick-and-mortar peers. 

A growing number of states across the country are passing universal school meals policies, which include restrictions preventing virtual public students from participating. For example, Minnesota’s program only applies to students attending schools that participate in the NSLP, and Michigan’s broad universal program requires students to be present in a school building to receive a meal. 

The Reality of Food Insecurity for Virtual School Families

For many families, the decision to enroll their children in a virtual school isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. Whether it's due to bullying, special medical needs, or the need for a flexible learning environment, virtual schooling offers a lifeline for children who may not thrive in traditional settings.

But this choice often comes with an unintended consequence: the loss of access to free or reduced-price meals provided by the NSLP that families depend on to feed their children.

One single mother from Oklahoma shared, “Without access to the National School Lunch Program, we run out of food before the month ends. By serving my children breakfast, AM snack, lunch, PM snack and dinner every day, we run out of resources fast. I never really thought about how virtual school would affect our dietary needs.” The rising cost of groceries only exacerbates this issue, with families being forced to make tough decisions about how to stretch their limited resources.

Another Oklahoma parent described a similar struggle. “We struggle paycheck to paycheck to make sure the kids are fed and that they have everything they need to be successful in school. Even for those of us who are two income households, it’s hard. There are days that I will go without eating so my kids will have the nutrition they need for the day. ”

Then there are some families that are just completely left behind. “Some days my kids aren't able to eat.. some days it's hard and some days it's okay,” shares a Texas mom. “Virtual learning is the best for them, but when it comes to food I can't properly provide breakfast, lunch and dinner.”

Single Parenting and the Daily Struggle

Single parents, already balancing the demands of raising children on their own, face an even steeper uphill battle without the support of school lunch programs.

One mother, whose family lives in South Carolina, described her daily battle: “It's hard for a single mom with two children. Homeschooling is the best option for us except we have no help with breakfast or lunch even though my child qualifies to receive these benefits.”

Another parent explained how, in Alabama, she sometimes has to choose between meals for herself and her child: “I’m a handicapped, low-income, single mother. Since my child attends an online public school, we don’t qualify for the National School Lunch Program. Some days I have to decide whether I’ll eat breakfast or lunch so I can make sure my child has food.”

Special Needs Families Deserve Fairness

For parents of children with special needs, the ability to choose virtual schooling is often critical for their child’s well-being. However, many of these families face the additional financial burden of providing meals that meet specific dietary requirements without the support of the NSLP.

A Florida family shared their story with us earlier this year: “Our family had to make the decision to have our child with special needs attend virtual school. Although our son excelled academically, not having access to lunch programs put a financial strain on our family.”

A Call for Fairness Across the Board

Excluding virtual students from the National School Lunch Program not only perpetuates an unfair gap in access to nutritional support but also highlights an imbalance in how we treat students across different learning environments. Virtual students are held to the same academic standards, testing requirements, and regulations as their peers in brick-and-mortar schools—yet they are denied access to the same benefits, such as free and reduced-cost meals.

It is only fair that all students, regardless of their setting, receive equal treatment. As one parent from Michigan put it, "It's not fair that virtual children are treated differently but have to meet the same standards of testing and other rules—and they don't get free lunch."

It’s Time to Close the Gap

As we celebrate National School Lunch Week and recognize the importance of the NSLP, we must also acknowledge the growing number of virtual students who are being left behind. By expanding the program to include virtual school families, we can help alleviate the burden of food insecurity for countless children and ensure they have access to the nutrition they need to succeed—no matter where they learn.

It’s time to close this gap and ensure that all students, regardless of how they attend school, have access to the same critical resources. Virtual students deserve the same support and opportunities as their peers in traditional schools, and it’s up to us to make that a reality.

Parents for School Options has been advocating for changes to the NSLP with members of Congress and the US Department of Agriculture. Policymakers need to hear the stories of families who would benefit from changes to the NSLP. Click here to get involved today.