NYU's McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research posted this on SocialJusticeSolutions.org.Ā
...Despite the role school lunches have played in reducing hunger and addressing learning deficits, school systems and eligible families often do not utilize them to their full potential. A contributing factor to their low utilization could be the stigma associated with receiving public assistance: many school children have experienced shaming for receiving free school meals.
How can schools correct the stigma associated with accessing government funded school meals? Perhaps schools could provide universally free school meals to all children, with all students eligible despite income level.
...As New York City fights for universally free lunches in its school system, Colorado is already moving forward with implementing universally free school meals. Along with six other states and the District of Columbia, some school districts in Colorado have made free school breakfast and lunches available to all children regardless of income. The significant participation in school meal programs where available demonstrate the positive effects of such a policy.
Beyond the benefits seen by low-income students, a recent study suggested that all students, regardless of income, demonstrated academic achievement and increased attendance following the implementation of the program. Along with the unfolding outcomes within school districts that have implemented universal meal programs, this study suggests that the expansion of NSLP may begin to provide benefits to all school children while dismantling the stigma of poverty.
[Photo of lunch at Brooklyn Technical High School, by Rachel Sonis]
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