There's No Such Thing As A Free Lunch

A record 20 million American schoolkids are on free or reduced lunches these days, and school districts are getting to the point where they simply can't afford to cover the cost much longer.

Through February, nationwide enrollment in free school lunch programs was up 6.3% over the same time last year, to 16.5 million students, based on data from the U.S. Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), which subsidizes the programs. Participation in reduced-price lunch programs rose to 3.2 million students, the data show.

Demand in some states has climbed at an even greater rate: Enrollment in free lunch programs jumped almost 17% in California, and several states — Arizona, New Jersey, Utah and Vermont — also saw more than 10% growth.

Many new enrollees are believed to be first-timers from families hit by the recession, says FNS Administrator Julie Paradis. "These programs are intended to expand when the need is greater ... and we're pleased that they're working," she adds. "But certainly there are additional costs, and that is a concern at a time of scarce resources. Our state and local partners are stretched."

In Jackson, Miss., where 86% of all students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, "some of our students show up for breakfast and haven't had anything to eat since lunch the day before," says Mary Hill, executive director of food services.

You figure that's what, one out of four, one out of five kids in America at this point on these programs. More will be on them soon. School districts are having to slash programs just as these programs are needed the most.

And it's summer now, these kids are out of school. They're not getting that daily meal these days. Next fall, who knows if there will be money for the lunches at all?

Spending has consequences. But cutting spending has consequences too.