Free School Lunches A Hit In Tough Economy

More Families Participating, Report Finds; Schools Call On Congress For Funding

(AP)  There is such a thing as a free lunch. And school districts across the country report that kids are eating many more of them as the flailing economy hits families hard.

The National School Lunch Program fed more than 30 million children in the 2006-07 school year with federal and state funds. According to the School Nutrition Association, which represents workers who provide the meals, almost 80 percent of schools surveyed by the organization are reporting an increase in the number of free lunches served this year.

Crystal FitzSimons of the Food Research and Action Center in Washington said more families are signing up for free school lunches for their children as they look for ways to trim their food budgets.

"One of the easiest things families can look to for support is the school nutrition program," she said.

Children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the poverty level are eligible for free meals. Children from families with slightly higher incomes are eligible for reduced price meals, which were also being served at higher levels. The organization said an average of 425,000 more students are participating in the programs overall.

As those numbers rise, schools could feel their budgets stretched as well.

Most schools receive free fruits and vegetables from the Agriculture Department and $2.57 per free lunch served - a reimbursement that many school nutrition directors say is not enough to produce a meal. Many have been calling on Congress to boost the reimbursement so schools don't face a loss, especially as food and energy prices have fluctuated in the past year.

"We want to make sure Congress understands the importance of these school-based nutrition programs," said Dr. Katie Wilson, president of the School Nutrition Association and a school nutrition director in Onalaska, Wis. "The money being reimbursed to schools continues to fall short of the actual costs."

Nutritious meals are key to the program. No more than 30 percent of calories can come from fat and less than 10 percent must come from saturated fat. The lunches are also supposed to provide one-third of the recommended dietary allowances of protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, calcium and calories over one week's menus.

But as school budgets tighten, some have suggested they may have to offer less nutritious meals to make ends meet. An Agriculture Department report earlier this year suggested that nutrition and costs do not have to be at odds but the economics of providing school meals should be further investigated.

The Senate Agriculture Committee is preparing to re-examine a variety of child nutrition programs, many of which expire next year.

Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin, the chairman of the panel, said he wants the program to help low-income children avoid diet-related problems such as obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure.

[clay4000]

I THINK FREE LUNCH FOR THE KIDS IS GOOD BUT i DONT THINK GOING AFTER THE KIDS IS RIGHT . THEY CAN'T CONTROL HOW THEIR PARENT ACT OR LIVE. ,BUT I BEEN WATCHING THE NEWS WITH THE ECOMINE AND HOW THEY BEEN SPENDING BALIOUT MONEY. wHY DON'T THEY TAKE THAT MONEY AND PUT TO THE SCHOOLS . CAUSE THE GOVERMENT CLOSES AND CUTS SCHOOLS MORE THEN ANYTHING IN THE WORLD . CAUSE EDUCATION IS THE BEST TOOL NOT BAILING OUT COMPANIES THAT HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO SPEND THEIR MONEY .

[dadw5boys]

Funny State, County, and City Officals never consider taking a 10 % pay cut even if the people who pay their salarys are losing everything including home.

Funny isn't it.

Since when are State Rep., County Commisioner and City Council jobs full time or life time jobs. So need to resign and just let the employees run the departments with no supervision. Bet they can and maybe better.

[frankinaz]

It makes one wonder how many of these children have parents that are illegal immigrants, or are illegal immigrants themselves. Not only does the US have to educate these children, now this country has to feed them also.
Ir''s time for Washington, DC, to hold the foreign countries where most illegal immigrants come from accountable for feeding and educating their own children.

[cherry9105]

I realize some people are just looking for a hand out. But some people really can''t afford to feed their children even if they are working because of prices the way they are. I mean really how much can a pb&j sandwich cost and a side of veggies.I realize people are short on money but how short is short enough to let your child go hungry?

[mrmeatspin]

as most probably know..this country''s children are suffering from obesesity.

TIME TO STARVE THEM A LITTLE BIT.

[impeach_o]

If the free lunch program were a bailout package for banks the Republicans would be all for it. Instead its a bailout program for children. For many children this free lunch is the only meal they''''ll get for the day.
Of course, Republicans view this as a waste of American tax dollars.

Republicans - no vision for the future, its all now now now.


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Posted by mtminds at 02:28 PM : Dec 11, 2008
+ report abuse

******** liberals in california are big in handing out free stuff to everybody..that is why now we need to be bailed out..

[observer2020]

There was no such thing as a free lunch when I was in school. Everyone either paid for their school-cooked lunch (yuck) or brown-bagged it. There were a few kids that didn''t have anything to eat and the rest of us (KIDS) offered something up from our lunch so they could eat. No taxpayers paying for those lunches. Everyone is looking for something FREE in this country...work and you''ll be able to feed your kids and not count on someone else doing it or say that it''s your right to get your child (or yourself) fed for free. Just like raising your kids...do not count on the schools to do your parenting. Do it yourself and that way you can make sure it''s done right.

[mtminds]

If the free lunch program were a bailout package for banks the Republicans would be all for it. Instead its a bailout program for children. For many children this free lunch is the only meal they''ll get for the day.
Of course, Republicans view this as a waste of American tax dollars.

Republicans - no vision for the future, its all now now now.

[spirit411]

I can feed several kids on 2.57 if I buy in bulk.
and if the vegies are free and fruits as well, give me a break I can make that work with no sweat!
and to those who think free lunches need to go away, trow up and open your hearts, we have kids with bad parents, cope! those kids did not ask to comeinto this world and if we feed them and get tehm educated then they have a better chance of not repeating their parents mistakes.
Nice Heart people, ***

[drivelphobe]

The concept of free meals at schools is disgusting. I wonder how many are really eaten and not thrown around the cafeteria or tossed out.

These programs should be terminated immediately. It is up to the family to provide meals, not the taxpayer.

[thecatsmeow5]

I was dirt poor growing up but I never received a free lunch. I certainly qualified but our family didn''t believe in accepting charity so my mother made us sandwiches for lunch. I believe parents who are able to provide for their child today need to have more pride and let free lunches be a last resort.