The poor economy is hitting the bellies of 3.1 million California school children.
State Superintendent of Public Schools Jack O'Connell warned Tuesday that, because of increased demand, state funding for the Free and Reduced-Price Meal program could run dry before the end of the school year. He urged lawmakers to increase state funding for the hot meal service by $31 million.
Schools statewide served 28 million more meals in 2007-08 than the year before, a record 770.6 million, and a 4.5 percent increase.
Nearly 51 percent of California's public school children are enrolled in the free or reduced-price program – some 3.1 million students.
The program, which provides breakfast, lunch and afternoon snacks to low-income children, is primarily funded with federal dollars; however, the state kicks in a significant portion as well.
Education officials believe even more children are eligible across the state, but families may not know about the service. "Our responsibility is to ensure that low-income students have access to nutritious meals because hungry children do not learn," O'Connell said.
In the Sacramento City Unified School District, children qualifying for the program increased by three percentage points this school year, from 63 percent in 2007-08 to 66 percent, said Marc Lemieux, the district's director of Nutrition Services.
"And although the district's enrollment is declining, the number of children qualifying for free and reduced meals is on the rise," he said.
Delois Davis-McDuffie, director of food and nutrition services for Elk Grove Unified, said student eligibility is up 3.3 percent in her district, from 45.9 percent of students in 2007-08 to 49.2 percent this year.
"And those who qualify are using the program more often," she said. "Participation is up 9 percent this year."
Last year, the number of California students receiving free or reduced-price meals increased dramatically at the end of the school year, and it is expected to continue to rise throughout this year, O'Connell said.
Because of the increased demand last year, the state ran out of money by April and school districts had to make up the difference.
Fewer state dollars mean fewer fresh fruits and vegetables, more processed, rather than prepared food, longer lines and reduced access, said Phyllis Bramson-Paul, director of the Nutrition Services Division for the state's Education Department.
"We know districts dip into their general fund money to make up for state shortfalls," she said. "This is not a good year for this to be an option. We don't want districts to be put into a series of Sophie's Choices, if you will."
Call The Bee's Melissa Nix, (916) 321-1090.
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