The Center for Hunger-Free Communities

Solutions Based on Science and the Human Experience

Let's Go Out

 

My daughter, she loves this restaurant. And I told her, I don’t have a lot of money, but when I get some money, I’ll take you. And that day, I think it was a Friday, she came and I showed her the money. She said, “Oh mommy, now you have money, so we can go out.” This food isn’t healthy, but it’s the only place I can afford to take my kids because I don’t have the money for a better restaurant.
– Taina P.

National School Breakfast and Lunch Programs

The federal school meals programs operate in over 100,000 public and non-profit private schools across the country, serving more than 31 million school children each day.  Philadelphia's Universal School Meals Program - which allows all children in high-poverty schools to eat for free, without a meal application - is a highly-regarded national model.

Current Issue

Due to major budget cuts, the Philadelphia School District recently announced its decision to close 26 full-service kitchens and replace them with pre-plated ("satellite") meals.  Along with other leading nutrition advocates, the Center testified against the decision at the Philadelphia School Reform Commission in June 2011.

Useful Links and Reports

FRAC’s School Breakfast Scorecard, 2009-2010
Estimating the Percentage of Students Income-Eligible for Free and Reduced Price Lunch

Study by the Reinvestment Fund for the School District of Philadelphia, “Estimating the Percentage of Students Income-Eligible for Free and Reduced Price Lunch,” August 2007.

Philadelphia’s National Model: Universal Feeding Program
Changes from the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010

 

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