The Black Panther Party launched the program in 1969

School girls hugged and kissed Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who signed the universal school meals bill, meaning that a similar program founded by the Black Panther Party, is now accepted into law although the late F.B.I. director J. Edgar Hoover wanted to destroy it along with the Black Panther Party itself. 

“As a former teacher, I know that providing free breakfast and lunch for our students is one of the best investments we can make to lower costs, support Minnesota’s working families, and care for our young learners and the future of our state,” Walz said. “This bill puts us one step closer to making Minnesota the best state for kids to grow up, and I am grateful to all of the legislators and advocates for making it happen.”

Schools must enroll in the federal program for free and reduced-priced meals to qualify to offer it.

Under this bill, the state would pick up the tab for the cost difference of covering everyone else who doesn’t qualify, which is estimated to be $388 million in the next two-year budget. It increases after that.

The Black Panther Party launched the free breakfast program in 1969 at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church in Oakland, California. Later the same year, the party launched a second location in San Francisco. By 1971, the program was feeding 10,000 children nationwide every day.

Hoover didn’t like it. He said it was supported by Blacks and liberal Whites. The FBI viewed it as a threat. Police raided free breakfast programs and harassed volunteer employees who worked there.

Since then, things have changed. Government officials recognized the program’s necessity and importance.



Visits to food pantyr shelves hit a record high last year, exceeding the height of the pandemic in 2020.