Bill calls for assurance that low-income kids get school meals
(Calif.) Public schools in California do not have to participate in federal school meal programs, but under a bill moving through the state Legislature, they will have to ensure low-income children receive at least one meal on campus that meets federal nutrition requirements.
Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva, D-Fullerton and author of AB 354, noted that academic performance is partially linked to if students are coming to school hungry, and that all traditional and public charter schools should be providing lunch to children eligible for free or reduced-price meals.
“Many schools do this, and some schools also provide breakfast, but there are some public schools that maybe have a very small percentage of Title I students, and many times they don’t give that meal to those students,” Quirk-Silva said during a Senate committee hearing Wednesday. “We want students, no matter what school they’re going to, to have at least the one nutritious meal.”
Studies have shown that healthier school environments have numerous benefits for students. For example, quality physical education predicts higher levels of physical activity in school. And school wellness policies that promote increased access to healthier foods and limit access to unhealthy foods have been linked to lower caloric intake and improved student diets.
Since 2004, all school districts participating in the federal meal programs have been required to create a committee of stakeholders and write a school wellness policy that set goals for physical and nutrition education, and set nutrition standards for meals and snacks served.
In 2010, the scope of school wellness policies was expanded by The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act which, among other things, aimed to promote more physical activity and increase the amount of whole grains, fruits and vegetables served in school meal programs while lowering sugars, sodium and calorie intake.
There are 530 districts with nearly 1,800 school sites statewide that do not participate in the federal National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program, according to California Department CONTINUE READING: Bill calls for assurance that low-income kids get school meals :: K-12 Daily :: The Essential Resource for Superintendents and the Cabinet
