Should School Lunch be Free?
By: Ashley Weng
Picture by Joe Lingeman/Kitchn
Introduction
Throughout recent decades, the project of providing free school lunch to all students has gained popularity, especially after the pandemic. Food insecurity among children and teens has become a pressing issue, and programs ensuring no student is hungry have gained momentum. Students shouldn’t have to learn on an empty stomach, especially because it hinders academic outcomes and boosts behavioral issues. However, others raise concerns about financial burdens on school districts and the poor quality of free meals that students consume consistently. As more and more schools are expanding their lunch programs, it’s important to consider the pros and cons of free school lunches.
Pros
Reduces Insecurity
One of the main arguments that school lunch should be free for all students is the idea of freeing students from their insecurities. Several students come to school without having a proper, nutritious lunch due to certain circumstances that may be happening at home. This may cause them to be insecure, trying to hide that they aren’t eating as much as the regular student, which is very poor for their health. Free school meal programs ensure no student remains hungry throughout the day, regardless of family circumstances. This can become extremely important for students in low-income families or those who are going through sudden economic hardships. However, as more free lunch programs are being implemented, a study from the Community Eligibility Provision reports that there is “a decline of nearly 5 percent in households experiencing food insecurity”(CAP 12). These no-cost meals are providing children and families with the comfort of having an accessible lunch to eat, making everyone less insecure and overall healthier.
Although it may not seem like a large percentage, millions of students have experienced food insecurity, calling attention to the importance of no-cost lunch programs. Image by USDA.
Improve Academic Performance
Another reason why school lunch should be free for all students is that when children are hungry, it becomes difficult to focus. According to No Kid Hungry, 80% of teachers saw a negative impact of hunger on concentration, and 76% saw decreased academic performance when students were hungry. Students who are well-fed perform better in school and are more eager and excited to learn. Providing access to free school meals would greatly help in improving concentration and energy levels in students who may not have the ability to eat lunch consistently. Having free school lunch would also assist in boosting attendance rates as well as ridding of distracting behavior. Tonya Harrison, an education director, says that, “When kids are hungry, they have an increased possibility for behavioral issues like hyperactivity, aggression or anxiety…”(Guenther Haas 3). This means that not only will providing free school lunch help students without proper meals, but also those around them who may be distracted by their behavior.
Cons
Financial Costs
Although free school lunch is a great idea that would benefit the lives of many, it does come with its drawbacks that make it inaccessible to many districts. One of the biggest reasons that school lunch isn’t free for all students is the high cost that it carries. Funding universal free school meals for millions of students requires large government spending, which places a huge burden on budgets. Some argue that this money would be better spent on other educational assets, such as textbooks, classroom laptops, and student mental health programs. Also, these free lunch programs not only need to be able to provide meals, but also need to pay for labor and proper facility spaces to make it happen. This could add a lot of financial burdens on school districts, especially those that are already struggling economically. Additionally, financially stable families who can consistently provide lunches for their children are forced to pay for these public funds.
Poor Quality of Food
Even when school meals are free, the quality of the food isn’t always great. School lunch, especially after COVID, has taken a turn for the worse. Meals have become much less nutritious and more processed, as providing healthy, high-quality foods can be hard due to the costs. One student says, “...after COVID [school lunch] turned to hot wings, chicken nuggets, burgers, hot dogs, and all those processed foods…because there are fewer healthier options [the quality of food has] declined”(CAP 16) Because of this, students may begin to have a dislike of school lunches, causing them to waste and throw away food. Consuming processed, un-nutritious meals like this consistently can also lead to poor health for all students, which is certainly a huge drawback. Without better, healthier options, these free meal programs won’t reach it’s desired impact.
Conclusion
In conclusion, free school lunch programs positively impact students' lives by making sure that no child or teen is studying on an empty stomach. By reducing food insecurity and improving students’ academic performance, students can become the best versions of themselves in the classroom. However, when the financial burden on school systems is considered, especially smaller districts that may have been struggling already, it causes quite a bit of setback. Also, the poor nutrition of school food makes some question whether or not free food would even help anyone at all. The decision to have no-cost school lunch programs heavily depends on the values and abilities of the district. Having the right balance to ensure that everyone thrives at the end of the day is the key to creating the proper system.
Cohen, A. (2023, May 4). 5 States addressing child hunger and food insecurity with free school meals for all. Center for American Progress. https://www.americanprogress.org/article/5-states-addressing-child-hunger-and-food-insecurity-with-free-school-meals-for-all/
Gunther-Haas, M. (2017, September 21). Going hungry: Student hunger affects behavior, learning. Big Rapids Pioneer. https://www.bigrapidsnews.com/local-news/article/Going-hungry-Student-hunger-affects-behavior-14181940.php
Hungry, N. K. (2023, September 28). How does hunger affect learning? No Kid Hungry. https://www.nokidhungry.org/blog/how-does-hunger-affect-learning
Schroeder, J. (2023, September 26). Challenges and opportunities of providing free school meals for all. Center for American Progress. https://www.americanprogress.org/article/challenges-and-opportunities-of-providing-free-school-meals-for-all/
