Free School Meals? Why Not?

By Catherine Wu

Introduction

As the new academic semester starts, low-income families need to fill out the application forms for free or reduced-cost meals again. Meanwhile, parents who are struggling financially but do not meet the eligibility criteria must find ways to cover the expenses of their children's morning and lunch meals (Luhby, 2023). This article examines the current issues with free school meals, utilizing real-world examples and data to explain the rationale behind advocating for universally accessible free school meals for students. Furthermore, it recognizes the specific challenges associated with implementing and carrying out such programs and expresses the hope that government agencies should take proactive steps to achieve a more favorable resolution.

Background

Before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, students qualified for free or reduced-price school breakfasts and lunches based on their family income (Iacurci, 2023). The pandemic prompted the introduction of various federal benefits, including emergency food assistance and free lunch initiatives designed to assist both states and households in overcoming the challenges posed by the pandemic. Nevertheless, Congress decided not to extend the COVID-19 pandemic exemptions that had expanded access to free school meals for all students, regardless of their income (Luhby, 2022). In the meantime, there was a decline in the number of students participating in school meal programs. In May, an average of approximately 28.3 million students were enrolled in the lunch program, which marked a decrease from the 30.2 million participants recorded in the preceding year. Additionally, 14.6 million children participated in the breakfast program, down from the 16.1 million participants (Luhby, 2023).

Why Do We Need Free School Meals?

Firstly, when students have free access to nutritious meals, they are better equipped to focus on class and learn in school. Proper nutrition can result in enhanced academic performance, as students become more alert and prepared to participate actively in their classes. The free lunch provided by the school ensures that the children are well fed, while hunger can have a detrimental effect on a child's physical and mental health. Derico, who also serves as the child nutrition director at Barbour County Schools in West Virginia, emphasized that “Research has shown if kids are hungry, they’re not going to be ready to learn” (Luhby, 2023). 

Secondly, free school meals can significantly reduce the financial burden on low-income families, freeing up resources for other necessities such as housing, utilities, and more. For instance, a typical household with two school-age children expends $162 monthly, which totals $1,458 annually on full-priced school breakfasts and lunches (Toossi, 2023). According to the School Nutrition Association, during the most recent school year, the average K-12 student spent between $1.73 and $1.80 on breakfast and between $2.75 and $3 on lunch (Iacurci, 2023).

Thirdly, access to nutritious meals during childhood can have long-term health benefits. Consistent energy intake in children promotes the development of strong bones and teeth, reducing the risk of chronic illnesses in adulthood (Decker, 2021). Healthier dietary habits often involve following guidelines for balanced and nutritious meals. Providing free lunches in schools can help students develop good eating and dietary habits, reducing the risk of future health problems.

Challenges We Encounter

One of the primary challenges is the cost associated with providing free meals to all students. Funding universal free school meal programs can place a significant burden on school budgets and government resources, especially in areas with a high student population. States are adopting various strategies to finance these initiatives. For instance, Massachusetts uses revenue generated by its new millionaires' tax to offset the costs of a $172 million program, while Colorado raises approximately $100 million annually by limiting tax deductions for relatively wealthy residents (Luhby, 2023).

Another issue arises when allocating resources to implement and sustain a universal free meal program. Budget reallocation can divert funds away from other essential educational priorities, such as teachers and staff recruitment and infrastructure development. Moreover, schools lose the ability to increase breakfast and lunch rates in response to rising food and labor costs, and certain state funds for general education are also tied to the share of lower-income students in a school district (Luhby, 2023).

Current Response 

Even though the national “free lunch for students” bill was not renewed after the outbreak, nine states in the United States have enacted legal provisions to continue the “free meal” policy. Seven of these states — California, Colorado, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, and Vermont have made the policy permanent (Food Research & Action Center, n.d.). Maintaining a universal or state-wide free meal program over the long term can be challenging due to fluctuations in federal budgets and economic policies.

Policy Recommendation

Implementing universal free meals for students while striving for budget balance can be a challenging task for federal governments. However, with policy adjustments and community-wide assistance, this goal is attainable. Firstly, the government can establish public-private partnerships by connecting local food suppliers, such as farmers' markets or family-run restaurants, with schools to provide ingredients and meals at reduced costs. Bulk-purchasing of local and seasonal produce can also reduce transportation costs while maintaining a high quality of the food. Secondly, schools and non-profit organizations may cooperate by recruiting volunteers with health permits to provide help in the meal preparation and distribution processes. This not only reduces labor costs but also fosters a sense of community involvement. Lastly, it is crucial to educate the public about health literacy. The government bears the responsibility of creating informative campaigns to raise awareness about the program's benefits among taxpayers and the general public. A well-informed public is more likely to support federal tax adjustments to sustain the universal free meals program.

Conclusion

Establishing guidelines to assess the effectiveness and impact of universal free school meal programs is essential. Policymakers must carefully evaluate the feasibility, sustainability, and potential consequences of implementing such programs and develop effective strategies to address these concerns. It is important to maintain a balance between providing nutritious meals for all students and managing the associated costs and other constraints. Taking an international perspective, countries like Finland, Sweden and Estonia have successfully implemented free lunch programs for students regardless of age or family conditions (Yanatma, 2023). The U.S. may find valuable insights from studying similar policies in these countries. 

References

Decker, E. (2021, March 11). The importance of Good Nutrition for Kids. Nationwide Children’s Hospital. https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/
700childrens/2021/03/importance-good-nutrition-kids 

Healthy School meals for all. Home - Food Research & Action Center. (n.d.). https://frac.org/healthy-school-meals-for-all 

Iacurci, G. (2023, August 3). These states are restoring free school meals for all kids, regardless of income. CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2023/08/03/these-states-are-restoring
-pandemic-era-free-school-meals-for-all-kids.html 

Luhby, T. (2023, September 9). States step in to pay for school meals for all kids | CNN politics. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/09/politics/free-school-meals-states/index.html 

Toossi, S. (2023, July). Cost of school meals and households’ difficulty paying for expenses: Evidence from the Household Pulse Survey. USDA ERS. https://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/pub-details/?pubid=106914 

Yanatma, S. (2023, September 4). School meals in Europe: Which countries give free food to students? euronews. https://www.euronews.com/2023/09/04/school-meals-in-europe
-which-countries-provide-free-food-for-students#