Should Schools Provide
Free Lunch to All? Students?
By Olivia Laszczt
Student Responses:
“I believe that there is good in between with having free lunch and having people to pay for it. The first lunch should be free and if students want a second lunch they can pay for it. This can ensure that children who need lunch can access it without any trouble.” -Anonymous
Throughout the pandemic, Saddle Brook High School offered free lunch to all students. This was to ensure that all students, regardless of their income, would be able to thrive in the classroom. With debates on if the Saddle Brook High School administration should continue to offer this program, students are torn between on whether or not it would cause more harm than good.
There are numerous positive benefits of offering students free lunch. For example, offering one free meal per day would aid lower-income students who may struggle to afford necessities. Instead of worrying about where their next meal will come from, they will be able to rely on a safe, nutritious meal and focus on their school work. Although some may argue the nutritional value of free lunch, the Food and Drug Administration and Food and Nutrition Service place regulations on the quality of food served that would “reduce national obesity rates by up to 17%” (wisevoter). Owing money also places a financial burden on the student’s parents, deterring them from participating in extracurricular activities and school events. Free lunch would not only aid food insecurity, but also reduce bullying. If everyone is given the same meal, the children who need their free meal will not be ostracized. The stigma of requiring free or reduced lunch has even led some students to prefer to go hungry rather than be isolated from their peers.