As a pediatric cardiologist, I have dedicated my career to caring for children with heart conditions. We often think of heart disease as something that develops later in life, but the foundation for lifelong cardiovascular health is established during childhood. If you asked me to name one of the most powerful tools we have to support a child’s long-term health, my answer would not come only from the exam room. It would also come from the school cafeteria.
Right now, far too many Virginia children lack consistent access to the food they need to grow, learn and thrive. The 2026 Virginia Hunger Study found that one in two (51%) Virginia households with children experienced food insecurity. That means hunger and uncertainty about access to nutritious food are realities for families in every community across the commonwealth.
For children, the consequences of hunger do not stay at home when the school day begins. A child who does not have reliable access to nutritious food faces additional hurdles to learning, growing and staying healthy. Schools provide the infrastructure to help remove that hurdle by ensuring students have consistent access to balanced meals during the day.
The medical community increasingly recognizes school meals as an important part of children’s health. In 2026, the American Academy of Pediatrics called for universal access to school meals as a strategy to promote nutrition security and consistent access to high-quality food. The organization noted that universal school meals can normalize participation, eliminate unpaid meal debt, reduce administrative burdens and support children across income levels who may experience food insecurity.
As a physician, I spend my days caring for children with complex heart conditions, discussing medications, procedures and long-term treatment plans. Yet some of the most important factors shaping a child’s health have nothing to do with what happens inside a hospital or clinic. I think about the families I meet who are doing everything they can to keep their children healthy while balancing rising food costs, housing expenses and the everyday demands of raising a family. Parents should not have to choose between paying a bill and providing nutritious meals for their children, but for too many families that reality is all too familiar. What I wish policymakers understood is that prevention does not begin in a doctor’s office. It begins in homes, schools and communities where children have reliable access to healthy food. When children are consistently nourished, we are supporting not only their ability to learn today but also their long-term cardiovascular health for years to come.
That perspective is why we cannot think about school meals simply as a response to hunger. They are also an investment in prevention and an opportunity to establish a stronger foundation for children’s lifelong health. For many students, a school meal is the most reliable source of a balanced, nutritious meal. Research consistently shows that participation in school meal programs is associated with improved diet quality.
Virginia now has an opportunity to act. HB 96 and SB 4 would make school breakfast available at no cost to students in Virginia public schools, regardless of family income. This legislation represents an important step toward full Healthy School Meals for All, ensuring that every student has access to a healthy breakfast and lunch at no cost.
A child’s ability to eat a healthy meal should not depend on their ZIP code, household income or whether their family falls just above or below an eligibility threshold. When nutritious meals are available to everyone, students can eat alongside their classmates without the stigma that can accompany programs based on income.
Healthy hearts are built over a lifetime, but the foundation is laid in childhood. By passing HB 96 and SB 4 during the 2027 General Assembly session, Virginia lawmakers can make a meaningful investment in both educational success and public health. Every child deserves the chance to start the school day nourished, ready to learn and positioned for a healthier future. One healthy meal today can help create a healthier Virginia tomorrow.
Chris Snyder, MD, is chief of cardiology at Children’s Hospital of Richmond. He is a member of the American Heart Association’s Central Virginia Board of Directors.
