Line Grows Long for Free Meals at U.S. School
The number of students receiving subsidized lunches rose to 21 million last school year from 18 million in 2006-7, a 17 percent increase, according to an analysis by The New York Times of data from the Department of Agriculture, which administers the meals program. Eleven states, including Florida, Nevada, New Jersey and Tennessee, had four-year increases of 25 percent or more, huge shifts in a vast program long characterized by incremental growth.
That is the 2nd paragraph of this NY Times article by Sam Dillon. It is chock full of facts, including data on the explosion of those being served in various locations, including things like unemployed engineers and technicians in Rochester NY where downsizing at Kodak and other companies has cost them their jobs.
The basic framework is this - you qualify for free lunch at up to 130% of the poverty level, which is $29,055 for a family of four. You get a reduced price lunch (at $.40) with income of up to $41,348 for a family of four.
The Dept. of Education uses the lunch program for an indicator of poverty in Federal Testing (National Assessment of Educational Progress, or NAEP), and noted that percentage of 4th graders receiving either subsidized or free lunches is now 52%, up from 49% 2 years ago.
More below the squiggle.
