Massachusetts schools offer free breakfast and lunch to all students, but some parents may still see some charges.
On Tuesday, August 8, Governor Maura Healey signed a $56 billion budget, which included $172 million for the permanent universal lunch program for public school students in kindergarten through grade 12.
The free meals program offers a free breakfast and lunch to all students regardless of income, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education said. However, students must take a fruit and vegetable to get the free meal, as schools will not receive any reimbursement for the meal without it. That means if a student misses the fruit or vegetable that day, they will be charged.
At least some schools keep fruits and vegetables near the boxes to help remind students.
Additionally, if a student receives an additional lunch, including a slice of pizza after their first lunch, they will be charged for it. Other a la carte items, such as cookies or ice cream, also cost money.
So if you see a charge, you may want to talk to your children about these options.
The state program was created to help with the stigma attached to receiving free meals, Laura Amedeo, supervisor of school cafeterias in West Springfield, told The Republican.
“There are still many families struggling with food insecurity. However, students can now enjoy nutritious meals without worrying about debt or feeling embarrassed about receiving free or reduced price meals,” said Amedeo.
Previously, if a student owed money, a cashier would throw away the child’s hot meal and replace it with a cold cheese sandwich.
The Massachusetts Institute for Law Reform advocated for schools to eliminate practices that shame children about their parents’ financial circumstances.
“Massachusetts is a national leader in education; now is the time for the Commonwealth to ensure that no child in our state is denied a school meal or shamed by a family’s school meal debt,” the 2018 report states.
Some Massachusetts school districts have implemented free lunches for years. But officials said the program sheds light on how many families depend on school meals daily and will go a long way toward eradicating hunger in the state.
“Our goal is always to increase participation. We want more families to realize the benefits and participate,” said Melanie Wilk, director of food service for Chicopee Public Schools.
Translated by Damaris Pérez Pizarro
2023-09-07 10:39:00
#parents #Massachusetts #charges #childrens #free #lunch
