RESPONSE TO CRYSTAL FITZSIMONS’ ESSAY

For many decades, children from low-income families have been able to receive free or reduced-price lunches and breakfasts at their school. Provision of school meals addresses concerns about student hunger and is believed to promote positive education and health outcomes for target children. When the COVID pandemic led to abrupt school closures in the Spring of 2020, students lost access to those school meals. Congress addressed the lack of school meals by creating greater flexibility in how food assistance was provided to children while they were unable to attend school in person.

PROVIDING FREE SCHOOL MEALS TO WEALTHY STUDENTS DOES NOT HELP CHILDREN IN NEED

For many decades, children from low-income families have been able to receive free or reduced-price lunches and breakfasts at their school. Provision of school meals addresses concerns about student hunger and is believed to promote positive education and health outcomes for target children. When the COVID pandemic led to abrupt school closures in the Spring of 2020, students lost access to those school meals. Congress addressed the lack of school meals by creating greater flexibility in how food assistance was provided to children while they were unable to attend school in person.