An Investment that Matters: Free Lunch for Students

The USDA reports that 12.5 percent of households with children deal with hunger; this is an incredibly high amount. School lunches were free for students for the last two years, but this academic year, students are back to having to pay for their meals unless they qualify for the free and reduced lunch program. However, lunches should be provided for all students.

Providing free school lunches to students can be costly and lead to food waste, but there are ways to prevent these issues. To help with the waste, schools can change the food packaging and move to reusable silverware in order to to get rid of plastic waste. Along with this, schools should only serve food that students are likely to eat. Also, leftovers can be used in other ways; for example, leftover chicken patties can be used in salad and wraps the next day, which will cut down on cost.

Making free lunches the standard for all students, regardless of income, has significant benefits. It improves attendance, decreases the risk of food insecurity, and eliminates the stigma that comes with receiving a free meal, the Noah Webster Educational Foundation claims. Kailee Grande, a senior at Pennridge, says that “the school lunch helps me feel energized and stay awake throughout the long day.”

The director of nutritional services, Gina Giarratana, believes that all students should be provided with school lunches. She says she can tell that students “learn, focus, and do better in school” when given lunch. It is essential that students have time to recharge in the middle of the long day and make sure every student has an opportunity to eat a balanced lunch.

Many schools strive to get this system into their buildings across the country to improve the overall health of students. To help with lunch debt now, schools can do fundraisers to pay for outstanding student lunch debt. Also, some of the district’s budget for sporting events could be put towards lunches, lowering the lunch price. Pennridge has been advocating for free lunch and breakfast here even before the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to try to bring it to the students.

Sources:

USDA. “Key Statistics & Graphics.” USDA ERS – Key Statistics & Graphics, 17 Oct. 2022, https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-u-s/key-statisticsgraphics/#:~:text=percent%20in%202020.-,Food%20Security%20Status%20of%20U.S.%20Households%20with%20Children%20in%202021,households%20with%20children%20in%202021.

Nwefblog. “Pros and Cons of Free Lunch Programs.” NWEF, 22 July 2022, https://noahwebstereducationalfoundation.org/pros-and-cons-of-free-lunch-programs/