Free and reduced-price lunch on the rise

A new report by the School Nutrition Association says that 425,000 more students are participating in free and reduced school lunch programs as a result of the economic downturn. The study, entitled "Saved by the Lunch Bell: As Economy Sinks, School Nutrition Program Participation Rises" and which surveyed over 130 school nutrition directors from 38 states, found that 79 percent of districts saw an increase in the number of free lunches served, while nearly 65 percent saw an increase in the number of reduced price lunches served over last year. Participation by students paying the full price for school lunch decreased in 48 percent of districts. Because the school-based child nutrition programs are entitlement programs, federal reimbursements will be provided to schools for each meal served; however, the amount of reimbursement provided continues to fall short of the actual costs associated with producing each school meal. However, the upside to these data, according to School Nutrition Association president Katie Wilson, is that "this year, when hunger is more common, more students are able to eat a balanced, nutritious meal at school."
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