Bill would ensure all kids get school lunches

Two leading Minnesota Democrats in Congress have introduced legislation to ensure that all school children, especially those from low-income families, get a proper school meal.

“Low-income children in Minnesota and across the country are increasingly being turned away from school lunch counters because they don’t have enough money in their meal account,” said U.S. Senator Al Franken during an October 1 conference call with the MSR. “This situation is totally unacceptable.”

He and U.S. Representative Keith Ellison last week co-sponsored the Expand School Meals Act that would ensure that all school children get a lunch, regardless of income. “Child hunger is one of the factors we must address,” Franken said.

“Congressman Ellison and I have introduced the Expand School Meals Act to ensure that low-income children are not denied nutritious food during the school day because they can’t afford to pay for it.”

“It’s shameful to let any child go hungry, especially while they are trying to learn,” Franken continued. “This legislation would eliminate the reduced-price…program [which requires children in low-income families to pay at least 40 cents for school meals]. I’m proud to be offering this with my colleague in the House.”

Ellison pointed out the present reality of many low-income parents today unable to make ends meet because of tough economic times and who don’t have the means to feed their children adequately. “A good meal at school may be the only good meal the kid gets all day,” he said.

“Low-income children in Minnesota and across the country are increasingly being turned away from school lunch counters because they don’t have enough money in their meal account,” said Franken. “In some districts, children are humiliated by the reduced-meal program by being forced to pay small fees in front of their peers, or when they are handed cheese sandwiches instead of regular meals on the days when they can’t afford to pay the reduced fees.”

Franken said teachers have told him that children often choose to skip meals rather than be embarrassed before their peers.

“Parents know that children can’t learn on empty stomachs,” Franken said.

“Hungry children perform worst on achievement tests, and have trouble concentrating, and are more likely to act out in school.”

Reportedly, more than 54,000 Minnesota students are adversely affected by the current reduced-price lunch program.

“This is going to make about 54,000 kids in Minnesota eligible for those meals that they are not getting or not getting enough of now,” Ellison said. “This will relieve shame and embarrassment and get kids ready to learn.

“That’s why I am committed to it. I think [the bill] is one of the best things I’ve had the chance to work on since I’ve been here.”

At least 70 percent of Minneapolis school-age children are kids of color, the congressman pointed out. “Given that race and poverty are highly correlated, [the bill] would make a significant difference for kids of color in a significant way.”

A similar bill was originally introduced in 2003 by former U.S. Senator Elizabeth Dole, Franken said. “It’s time for this now… This will get done.”

Given the healthcare reform debate currently underway in Congress, we asked the two lawmakers what priority their bill will get. “Obviously, health care and financial reform is a high priority,” Ellison said. “But feeding our kids is a top priority and is not a backburner issue for me.”

“This is a health issue,” added Franken.

“We are committed to this,” pledged Ellison. “This is the kind of issue that will resonate with a lot of people, and we need a lot of community support for it.”

Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@spokesman-recorder.com.

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