In the US, October 14–18 commemorates National School Lunch Week. We meet up with the Washington DC-based Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) to discuss the significance of this occasion and the role of school meals for children’s well-being and educational performance.
“National School Lunch Week is a celebration of the federal National School Lunch Program, which serves nearly 30 million children a nutritious meal each school day,” Alexis Bylander, FRAC’s interim child nutrition programs and policy director, tells Nutrition Insight.
“President John F. Kennedy created National School Lunch Week in 1962 to promote the importance of a healthy school lunch in a child’s life and the impact it has inside and outside of the classroom.”
She highlights that each year, the nation’s School Nutrition Association puts together resources for school food service staff across the country to use throughout the week. “FRAC is using this week-long celebration to call for Healthy School Meals for All policies.”
School lunch importance
Bylander asserts that school lunches are vital to improving children’s nutrition security.
“School meals provide a critical nutrition safety net for children, particularly those in low-income households.”
She points out that research shows the powerful role school lunch plays in improving student behavior, attendance and achievement.
FRAC highlights USDA data showing that 13.8 million children in the country lived in households that experienced food insecurity in 2023, a slight increase from 2022. The center further explains that food insecurity can have “serious short- and long-term health consequences for children.”
These include delays in cognitive and physical development, anxiety, depression and behavioral issues, as well as chronic illnesses, such as asthma, anemia and obesity.
National School Lunch Week celebrates the federal National School Lunch Program, serving nearly 30 million children.In an interview with Nutrition Insight, GenYouth, a US NGO focused on improving access to school meals, highlighted that participation in the national school meal programs is currently lower than the availability. The organization’s efforts to supply access to innovative school alternatives, such as smoothies and breakfast foods, have yielded positive results in overall participation and nutrition, with children consuming fruit and milk at a higher rate.
Bylander discusses the steps other schools and stakeholders may take to improve school meal participation by stating: “People can advocate for Healthy School Meals for All policies.”
“We believe in Healthy School Meals for All policies, offering a free breakfast and lunch to all students, because everyone does better when students are well fed and ready to get the most out of their school day,” she continues.
“Eight states have passed policies, and similar legislation is pending in many other states. School stakeholders can also ensure that students have enough time to eat during their lunch periods and engage students to create menus that are healthy and appealing to students.”
The eight states currently implementing such policies, regardless of household income, are California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico and Vermont.
Success stories
In this year’s National School Lunch Week, Bylander tells us about the positives that have been achieved in childhood nutrition.
“Our recent report on Healthy School Meals for All shows that of the five states that implemented Healthy School Meals for All policies during the 2022–2023 school year, all states saw an increase in school lunch participation and four states saw an increase in school breakfast participation.”
States with Healthy School Meals for All policies improved participation in school meals.FRAC highlights that in order to address issues related to child hunger it is vital to ensure that all eligible children can access school meal programs.
“The federal nutrition programs such as the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer, also known as SUN Bucks, after-school suppers, school breakfast and school lunch ensure that children are well fed and ready to get the most out of their school day and also help alleviate pressure on household food budgets,” Bylander explains.
According to FRAC public opinion polling, 63% of voters nationwide support permanent free meals at schools.
Discussing the legislative efforts that FRAC is supporting considering the upcoming election in the US, she states: “For several years now, we have been steadfast supporters of Healthy School Meals for All legislation, both at the state and federal levels.”
“Until free school meals for all becomes a reality, we support legislation introduced in Congress that would enhance the Community Eligibility Provision, allowing more schools across the country to offer free meals to their students.”
