All Public School Students in Baltimore Will Get Free Breakfast and Lunch Regardless of Family’s Income
2015/06/05 – Every single public school student in Baltimore will be offered free breakfast and lunch at school regardless of whether a student comes from a low, middle, or upper-income family, the Baltimore Sun reports.
The initiative is a part of a federal program that did away with how public school districts would have some students—those who come from working-class families—eat lunch for free, while other more privileged students would pony up a quarter, 50 cents, or a $1.25 at the food counter in order to get food. State legislation passed the initiative early this year in Maryland, which, enabled the state to adopt the federal program.
Del. Keith Haynes, a sponsor of the legislation, described how the program is a “great equalizer” for public school students, and puts them all on equal footing when it comes to getting the food and resources they need to perform well in school.
“We know that nutritious, balanced meals has a direct correlation to positive outcomes for our students,” Haynes said. “And we know not everyone has access to that.”
The new program most directly affects the 16 percent of Baltimore students that did not quality for free and reduced-priced meals.
Haynes also pointed to the psychological effects the tiered lunch-payment system was having on students who did qualify for free lunch. There was a “stigma” they felt about perhaps being eligible for free food, and not being able to afford to pay.
Source: Diana Ozemenhoya Eromosele
