The Honorable Chair and Members
Senate Budget and Taxation Committee
Maryland General Assembly
Annapolis, Maryland
Re: Strong Support for HB0704/SB0586 – Community Eligibility Provision Expansion Program
Dear Chair and Members of the Committee:
I write in strong support of HB0704/SB0586, legislation establishing a statewide Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) Expansion Program. At a time when food insecurity continues to persist across Montgomery County, this bill represents a pragmatic, fiscally responsible, and equity-centered solution to ensure that no child’s ability to learn is compromised by hunger.
Despite the County’s relative affluence, food shortages remain a daily reality for many working families. Rising housing costs, inflationary pressures on groceries, and economic instability have placed additional strain on households already operating on narrow margins. Schools increasingly serve as frontline responders to these pressures. When children arrive hungry, the consequences are immediate: diminished concentration, behavioral challenges, absenteeism, and lower academic performance.
The federal Community Eligibility Provision is one of the most effective tools available to address this issue at scale. However, participation decisions often hinge on financial feasibility. Without predictable state support, eligible schools may hesitate to opt in due to concerns about reimbursement gaps. HB0704/SB0586 directly addresses this barrier by establishing a dedicated funding structure to expand CEP access statewide. The proposed annual investment provides the fiscal certainty necessary for school systems to participate without jeopardizing local budgets.
This legislation advances several critical policy objectives:
1. Educational Equity
Universal meal access removes stigma and ensures every student in participating schools receives breakfast and lunch without administrative hurdles. This is not merely a nutrition policy; it is an educational access policy. When hunger is removed as a variable, opportunity gaps narrow.
2. Administrative Efficiency
By eliminating the need for individual income applications in eligible schools, CEP reduces paperwork burdens on families and school administrators alike. Streamlining enrollment processes increases accuracy while freeing staff resources for instructional support rather than compliance tasks.
3. Economic Stabilization for Working Families
For many households, school meals represent a meaningful monthly savings. In communities facing high rent burdens and rising living costs, these savings improve financial stability and reduce reliance on emergency food assistance.
4. Public Health and Long-Term Fiscal Impact
Consistent access to nutritious meals contributes to improved physical health, cognitive development, and long-term workforce readiness. The modest state investment envisioned in this bill will yield measurable returns through stronger academic outcomes and reduced downstream social service costs.
Montgomery County has made notable local efforts to combat food insecurity, yet persistent shortages demonstrate that local initiatives alone cannot close systemic gaps. A durable statewide framework is essential. HB0704/SB0586 provides that framework.
Ensuring children are fed during the school day should not be subject to annual budget uncertainty. It should be a stable commitment reflecting Maryland’s values and its investment in the next generation.
I respectfully urge the Committee to give HB0704/SB0586 a favorable report and advance this legislation. Strengthening the Community Eligibility Provision is not simply about expanding a program—it is about reinforcing the foundation upon which educational success and community stability depend.
Thank you for your consideration and for your continued service to the people of Maryland.
Respectfully,
Radwan Chowdhury
Candidate, County Council At-Large