Each GQCP Senator or Congress Representative that doesn’t think this program is worth it needs to not eat any breakfast or lunch for a week or two and report how it effected their concentration in their daily lives because several went on record saying “ There’s no proof that kids do better in school because of this program”?!
Thank you Elliot, for this essay. Free school lunch is not something I have thought about until now, but I would have to agree that free for all would be a good choice. There is so much distance involved in differences. A daily activity that includes all would be a good step toward being able to embrace our diversity in a non-threatening way.
Elaine, I remember free schools lunch, Growing up in a small Illinois town of 5000, Every school had a working kitchen and fresh food was cooked and served every lunch, we had real silverware and plates but on a tray, No one had cell phones to distract them. It was a wonderful social time where we really got to know our class, mates better, The French went even further and made sure the table was set with a table cloth, cloth napkin, silverware and plate, and encouraged social skills, manners, and taught the art of conversation, We need to put the civil back into civilization,
Not really sure of the need for kids to have tablecloths with their lunch? Food in their bellies without shaming kids whose parents have less is the issue here. Helping them to learn in school without being distracted by belly growling? It’s not about bringing fine dining to kids and starting conversations and putting other superfluous non quantifiable ideas into the basic foods for students issue. The GQCP hasn’t wanted to use this program because 1) It’s not a problem if kids are hungry it doesn’t mean they can’t learn and 2) They state that there’s not proof that feeding them helps them to learn better. The article about a study the Dr posted helps to support the validity of the program. This is good!
WZ. Not sure what your criticism of::my statement is. I was agreeing and remembering my experience which was much more civil. I grew up in a town where adults looked out for kids. No one said they need tablecloths, it was just an example from another country, but that does not exclude the need to feed all children, and not shame anyone, we need to feed their bellies, their minds, and their spirits, I was just saying that it used to be a given , common sense that we need to provide free lunch to students for multiple reasons, socializing children should also be a responsibility of all of us, It does take a village, Helping them learn manners, respect , gratitude, kindness, cooperation, compassion, empathy, are all things that can be addressed with a schools garden, a school kitchen staffed to cook healthy food every day, and rules for polite civil behaviors used to be a given, Sharing a meal, providing what nurtures and sustains life has many layers of meaning,
The White Christian Nationalists in US constantly talk about needing to teach these lessons but under the guise of “if only they were being taught the Bible along with the need to teach them to be Bible based laws to fix their lives” they don’t see that shoving other peoples children to have to deal with people who want to force kids from other religions or absence of in order to get an education in the us and food in their bellies it seemed like you were implying something similar. If not your intention I apologize. The irony of these people being ok to wipe out whole departments of education and other very valuable parts of our government and with those criminal minds is so frustrating. We have had quite a few very good programs in the schools too. Some systems have a large farm to table program where the kids learn to grow, care for, harvest, and cook the schools food and learn many of the lessons you speak about they do learn from them. It would be great to do those programs in more places but with the cuts in funding the GQCP think are wise it’s not enough resources to add anything that the school would have to fund. Many other countries don’t look at school kids as another budget to cut too and I wish it was like that here~kids deserve so much more in our country! Such treasures they are❣️ I taught my kids at home, Sunday school (in a church that wasn't the way these people are~no politics besides we should always pray for our leaders no matter what party), and tutored some kids with reading. I know how much they can absorb from good teachers with patience and caring many quickly learn when given the chance! what country did you mean? Tell me more?
I agree, and I think this draws on the general Jewish wisdom regarding tzedakkah (charity). Even if it involves added trouble, time, or expense, it has to be given in a way that protects the dignity of the recipient and does not rupture the fabric of community. Making free lunch available to all children regardless of household income accomplishes that. I'd also added there is administrative savings in not having to verify each family's income which may well offset a significant amount of the cost.
Hi Shlomo, while I certainly agree with the wisdom of being charitable, I think school food programs, are actually hard nose governance and business decisions... based upon the need for a healthy, educated work force to manage and run the processes of a highly technical society. It is an illusion that we are giving and getting nothing back, one of the lies some people tell themselves.
Lynn- I think we’re really saying about the same thing. An important reason for a social safety net, be it school lunches, food stamps, and so forth is that it’s not just charity, but also benefits everyone by creating a more stable society. So, for example, without this people might be more tempted to turn to crime, rebellion, and so forth. But in order for these societal benefits to take place, the aid has to be given in a way that it will be accepted without causing hurt feelings or harm, thus the need for discretion, tact, and as we were discussing providing everyone, not just those in need, with a school lunch
Excellent point. Children, unfortunately, can be very cruel.I know, first and, that some children getting free meals refuse eating due to exposure to ridicule by others who lack empathy.
This really struck a chord with me. We ought to be looking under rocks to find ways of supporting our country’s children in meaningful ways. It should be considered investment, not expense. Poverty is the cruelest force in society. A method for blunting its impact on the health and minds of our next generation should be a priority.
My grandson was stationed in Germany and had a child there with his German wife. It was shocking to see the federal support for children - paid parental leave, national healthcare, professionally managed pre-school and kindergarten, excellent schools and free universities. An investment in their children is an investment in their nation's future. We shouldn't have to look under rocks to support our children...
Yes, Eliot. Someone should do a cost benefit analysis of "free" breakfast and/or lunch with the hypothesis that the benefits to kids and communities far outweighs the cost. My observations, and opinion, are that healthy, well-fed kids are an asset, whereas unhealthy, underfed kids are a liability.
I loved reading this. We know that we create community over meals. It's a social time to be with each other over food. What a wonderful practice to let all young people know that we care about them. The "Golden Rule" in action. Thanks.
As a retired teacher, I'm with you all the way on this one Elliot. Kids, especially from 6th to 10th grade can find enough reasons to bully other children, but food should not be one of them. In Canada we got free milk in K-3 mid morning. So, we in California spent 29,000 on free school lunches. A !% wealth tax on estates worth more than 5 million could cover all that and more.
One thing at a time. Universal free lunch in all 50 States. Then add breakfast. After that we need to look seriously at individualized education where every single child anywhere in America can learn a much as they are capable of learning and leaves high school fully prepared for one of four paths, sustainable employment, vocational school, community college, or traditional 4 year college.
A breakfast and lunch program has been in schools for a long time if you don’t do the program in the same way as breakfast you have lost the point of not pointing out who gets the free/reduced lunch/breakfast. It’s both or it’s not going to achieve the goal. Perhaps you didn’t realize this was the case already and that the only part that’s newish is that some states don’t give to all students. As a matter of fact in some schools kids were ostracized for their parents poor behavior by having a debt for their lunches and kids went all am and noon without food and being teased about the situation they have no control over. We can afford huge amounts of bombs, jets, ships, submarines, help other conflicts, and plenty of other highly priced parts of our budgets we ought to be able to give kids of the future 2 meals a day (1 in some schools) without shaming our future generations of leaders!
I will never understand why anyone would oppose this. As already stated, we are a wealthy nation and should have a responsibility to those less fortunate - especially children! Imagine how much better their ability to learn is when they’re not hungry.
Yes, every child needs one nutritious meal of food, ideas, reading, writing, math, and history a day... at the very least. Leave any out and we will not have citizens capable of participating in society. This benefits the individual ) business ) society ) life ).
This issue, as many others have been, is political. Providing sustenance to children should be a basic standard safe from political argument. The fact that this hasn’t risen to priority status is evidence (to me) that the forces preventing that from happening care far more for themselves and their power than the young ones who simply need to eat to survive and have a chance to thrive.
We stuff the kids with free math, history, geography etc etc. Stuffing them with free food gives them something they can enjoy, and not sweat tests and grades.
Breaking bread is an ancient ritual for building community and understanding. "Build a longer table, not a higher fence.”
A huge step in the right direction for a wealthy nation. Thank you for writing about this.
Each GQCP Senator or Congress Representative that doesn’t think this program is worth it needs to not eat any breakfast or lunch for a week or two and report how it effected their concentration in their daily lives because several went on record saying “ There’s no proof that kids do better in school because of this program”?!
According to the Brookings.edu, there is evidence that nutritious school lunches affect scholastic performance:
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/how-the-quality-of-school-lunch-affects-students-academic-performance/
Good idea.
Thank you Elliot, for this essay. Free school lunch is not something I have thought about until now, but I would have to agree that free for all would be a good choice. There is so much distance involved in differences. A daily activity that includes all would be a good step toward being able to embrace our diversity in a non-threatening way.
Elaine, I remember free schools lunch, Growing up in a small Illinois town of 5000, Every school had a working kitchen and fresh food was cooked and served every lunch, we had real silverware and plates but on a tray, No one had cell phones to distract them. It was a wonderful social time where we really got to know our class, mates better, The French went even further and made sure the table was set with a table cloth, cloth napkin, silverware and plate, and encouraged social skills, manners, and taught the art of conversation, We need to put the civil back into civilization,
Not really sure of the need for kids to have tablecloths with their lunch? Food in their bellies without shaming kids whose parents have less is the issue here. Helping them to learn in school without being distracted by belly growling? It’s not about bringing fine dining to kids and starting conversations and putting other superfluous non quantifiable ideas into the basic foods for students issue. The GQCP hasn’t wanted to use this program because 1) It’s not a problem if kids are hungry it doesn’t mean they can’t learn and 2) They state that there’s not proof that feeding them helps them to learn better. The article about a study the Dr posted helps to support the validity of the program. This is good!
WZ. Not sure what your criticism of::my statement is. I was agreeing and remembering my experience which was much more civil. I grew up in a town where adults looked out for kids. No one said they need tablecloths, it was just an example from another country, but that does not exclude the need to feed all children, and not shame anyone, we need to feed their bellies, their minds, and their spirits, I was just saying that it used to be a given , common sense that we need to provide free lunch to students for multiple reasons, socializing children should also be a responsibility of all of us, It does take a village, Helping them learn manners, respect , gratitude, kindness, cooperation, compassion, empathy, are all things that can be addressed with a schools garden, a school kitchen staffed to cook healthy food every day, and rules for polite civil behaviors used to be a given, Sharing a meal, providing what nurtures and sustains life has many layers of meaning,
The White Christian Nationalists in US constantly talk about needing to teach these lessons but under the guise of “if only they were being taught the Bible along with the need to teach them to be Bible based laws to fix their lives” they don’t see that shoving other peoples children to have to deal with people who want to force kids from other religions or absence of in order to get an education in the us and food in their bellies it seemed like you were implying something similar. If not your intention I apologize. The irony of these people being ok to wipe out whole departments of education and other very valuable parts of our government and with those criminal minds is so frustrating. We have had quite a few very good programs in the schools too. Some systems have a large farm to table program where the kids learn to grow, care for, harvest, and cook the schools food and learn many of the lessons you speak about they do learn from them. It would be great to do those programs in more places but with the cuts in funding the GQCP think are wise it’s not enough resources to add anything that the school would have to fund. Many other countries don’t look at school kids as another budget to cut too and I wish it was like that here~kids deserve so much more in our country! Such treasures they are❣️ I taught my kids at home, Sunday school (in a church that wasn't the way these people are~no politics besides we should always pray for our leaders no matter what party), and tutored some kids with reading. I know how much they can absorb from good teachers with patience and caring many quickly learn when given the chance! what country did you mean? Tell me more?
I agree, and I think this draws on the general Jewish wisdom regarding tzedakkah (charity). Even if it involves added trouble, time, or expense, it has to be given in a way that protects the dignity of the recipient and does not rupture the fabric of community. Making free lunch available to all children regardless of household income accomplishes that. I'd also added there is administrative savings in not having to verify each family's income which may well offset a significant amount of the cost.
Hi Shlomo, while I certainly agree with the wisdom of being charitable, I think school food programs, are actually hard nose governance and business decisions... based upon the need for a healthy, educated work force to manage and run the processes of a highly technical society. It is an illusion that we are giving and getting nothing back, one of the lies some people tell themselves.
Lynn- I think we’re really saying about the same thing. An important reason for a social safety net, be it school lunches, food stamps, and so forth is that it’s not just charity, but also benefits everyone by creating a more stable society. So, for example, without this people might be more tempted to turn to crime, rebellion, and so forth. But in order for these societal benefits to take place, the aid has to be given in a way that it will be accepted without causing hurt feelings or harm, thus the need for discretion, tact, and as we were discussing providing everyone, not just those in need, with a school lunch
Excellent point. Children, unfortunately, can be very cruel.I know, first and, that some children getting free meals refuse eating due to exposure to ridicule by others who lack empathy.
This really struck a chord with me. We ought to be looking under rocks to find ways of supporting our country’s children in meaningful ways. It should be considered investment, not expense. Poverty is the cruelest force in society. A method for blunting its impact on the health and minds of our next generation should be a priority.
My grandson was stationed in Germany and had a child there with his German wife. It was shocking to see the federal support for children - paid parental leave, national healthcare, professionally managed pre-school and kindergarten, excellent schools and free universities. An investment in their children is an investment in their nation's future. We shouldn't have to look under rocks to support our children...
Yes, Eliot. Someone should do a cost benefit analysis of "free" breakfast and/or lunch with the hypothesis that the benefits to kids and communities far outweighs the cost. My observations, and opinion, are that healthy, well-fed kids are an asset, whereas unhealthy, underfed kids are a liability.
I hope there is consideration for healthy meals that have a low carbon footprint, both in consumption and recycling.
That needs to be a priority too Bert. Thanks for adding your thoughts.
That "free" lunches will more than pay for themselves through extra tax revenue in the future is the dispassionate conclusion.
The more passionate conclusion is that it is a moral "crime" for a wealthy country not to do it.
I loved reading this. We know that we create community over meals. It's a social time to be with each other over food. What a wonderful practice to let all young people know that we care about them. The "Golden Rule" in action. Thanks.
As a retired teacher, I'm with you all the way on this one Elliot. Kids, especially from 6th to 10th grade can find enough reasons to bully other children, but food should not be one of them. In Canada we got free milk in K-3 mid morning. So, we in California spent 29,000 on free school lunches. A !% wealth tax on estates worth more than 5 million could cover all that and more.
One thing at a time. Universal free lunch in all 50 States. Then add breakfast. After that we need to look seriously at individualized education where every single child anywhere in America can learn a much as they are capable of learning and leaves high school fully prepared for one of four paths, sustainable employment, vocational school, community college, or traditional 4 year college.
A breakfast and lunch program has been in schools for a long time if you don’t do the program in the same way as breakfast you have lost the point of not pointing out who gets the free/reduced lunch/breakfast. It’s both or it’s not going to achieve the goal. Perhaps you didn’t realize this was the case already and that the only part that’s newish is that some states don’t give to all students. As a matter of fact in some schools kids were ostracized for their parents poor behavior by having a debt for their lunches and kids went all am and noon without food and being teased about the situation they have no control over. We can afford huge amounts of bombs, jets, ships, submarines, help other conflicts, and plenty of other highly priced parts of our budgets we ought to be able to give kids of the future 2 meals a day (1 in some schools) without shaming our future generations of leaders!
I will never understand why anyone would oppose this. As already stated, we are a wealthy nation and should have a responsibility to those less fortunate - especially children! Imagine how much better their ability to learn is when they’re not hungry.
Yes, every child needs one nutritious meal of food, ideas, reading, writing, math, and history a day... at the very least. Leave any out and we will not have citizens capable of participating in society. This benefits the individual ) business ) society ) life ).
Thank you! I so agree with you.
This issue, as many others have been, is political. Providing sustenance to children should be a basic standard safe from political argument. The fact that this hasn’t risen to priority status is evidence (to me) that the forces preventing that from happening care far more for themselves and their power than the young ones who simply need to eat to survive and have a chance to thrive.
Well stated!
We stuff the kids with free math, history, geography etc etc. Stuffing them with free food gives them something they can enjoy, and not sweat tests and grades.