Should Kids Have School Lunch Debt?
As federal support ends, a key question arises
A recent story out of Humphreys County raises the question:
Why aren’t school meals free for all kids?
Here’s WSMV reporting on the attempt to discourage kids from incurring school lunch debt:
A new policy at Humphreys County Schools is causing a stir as students will be given an “alternate meal” if they’re behind on lunch charges, according to Humphreys County School Nutrition.
The policy in question, brought up by Humphreys County School Nutrition on Facebook, states that students won’t be able to charge more than two lunches.
After the two charges, “The students will be given an alternate meal of a peanut butter/cheese sandwich and a milk until balances are paid. Thank you for your help and cooperation in this matter,” the Facebook post stated.
The article notes that Humphreys County had $29,000 worth of unpaid school meals last year.
Here’s the deal: Tennessee can afford to make school meals free for all kids.
The fiscal note on a recent bill that would have created a free program of school breakfast and lunch for all students indicates an estimated cost of $714 million.
We can afford it. The state has a surplus topping $2 billion this year alone.
Plus, ensuring every child has access to breakfast and lunch is a great way to give them the very basic foundation they need to learn.
Want to boost reading scores and be sure kids are more likely to be alert and ready to learn? Take away food insecurity.
No child should go hungry, especially in schools. And they definitely should not be shamed for having a negative balance.
The meals are now free here in CA. They should be for people that can't afford it everywhere. It wasn't always this way here though and I am glad it is now.