The Hillsborough County School District started distributing free breakfast and lunch meals to all students aged 18 and under during the 2021 schoolyear. This action provided all students with the foundation needed to thrive throughout their busy days. In difficult times when there are so many other financial burdens, too many are going without food or proper nutrition. Providing food for them is absolutely a move in the right direction, and will be sure to set our students up for success.

Many in opposition of this case have cited ‘reduced-price lunches’ or ‘alternative offerings’ as part of the solutions. While these may seem like helpful solutions, they ultimately only lead to “lunch-shaming,” which only stigmatizes and ostracizes students who cannot afford to pay for the traditional offerings. Students should never be made to feel uncomfortable at school - nor should their families, who are just trying their best to get by in unprecedented times. Anything that can be done to combat this, and to make every child feel included and safe while in a learning environment, should be done. 

This is not a new issue, either. Other states and counties have already implemented similar acts. A bill signed by the Governor Gavin Newsom in California has ensured free meals for students, thus ending lunch-shaming and providing students with the fuel they need to be the best versions of themselves. Children should get sufficient meals to stay energetic throughout the day. According to an online survey, more than 90% of people have voted in support of free school lunches.

According to the report of the United States Department of Agriculture, free or reduced-price lunch is available for more than 30 million students at present. Also, the School Breakfast Program has ensured the participation of 14 million students in free or reduced-price breakfast. These programs are getting great attention. It’s the responsibility of the schools to ensure nutritious and #well-balanced meals to all the students. There shouldn’t be any compromise with ensuring nutritious and well-balanced food for children.

Conclusively, every student should receive access to sufficient meals with proper #nutrition regardless of their ability to pay. The children are the future of the country, and investing in their wellbeing now is just ensuring further success in the future. If there was ever a right place to allocate our taxpayer funds, if there was ever a civic responsibility to prioritize being upheld, it should be in cultivating a safe, welcoming environment for our kids - providing free lunches for all students will do just that.