Hollingsworth prevails in tussle with mayor over universal school meals program

Seattle City Council President Joy Hollingsworth has Mayor Katie Wilson’s respect if not her full support on a decision to delay the city’s universal school meals program by one year in order to fund immediate weekend and holiday food support.

Under an amendment to the Families, Education, Preschool and Promise Levy plan co-sponsored by Hollingsworth, the rollout of universal school meals in Seattle will shift to the 2027–28 school year.

The redirected funds will immediately expand resources for low-income families during weekends and school breaks starting this upcoming school year. Hollingsworth framed the amendment as a “both/and” approach, noting that weekend and holiday hunger is a critical, tragically overlooked gap that requires urgent relief.

Hollingsworth called the approved amendment “a both/and approach” that will “close the food equity gap in Seattle.”

In a statement, Wilson expressed disappointment over the one-year delay, highlighting that recent federal SNAP cuts make universal free school nutrition more vital than ever. However, she affirmed her support for the council’s process and council president Hollingsworth’s commitment to ending food insecurity.

“K-12 education is free and universal, and the nutrition a child needs to show up ready to learn should be no different,” Wilson said.

Hollingsworth pointed to broad support in City Hall and the local community to advance the amendment, securing co-sponsorship from Councilmembers Dionne Foster and Debora Juarez along with endorsement from key advocacy organizations like the Alliance for Education.

Hollingsworth’s strategy will launch a new food voucher program in 2026 before fully implementing universal school meals in 2027, which aims to feed up to 6,800 additional students and save families roughly $1,200 annually.

The approved updates put the final touches on a six-year, implementation plan for the $1.3 billion Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise Levy passed by voters in 2025. Approved by voters last November, the levy supplements educational support services to help local children and youth succeed.

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