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Brielle Kueper

1. This mandate impacts the schools and community by giving students the opportunity to have access to lunch at the schools. This is especially good for those students who don’t have this access all the time so that they aren’t worrying about eating and can actually be focused in on their education.

2. I know from going through a public school that some challenges of this mandate is that not all students will be happy with the school lunch. They either don’t like what they are serving some days or they think that it is gross and not good enough.

3. I think I 100% agree with this mandate. I think that the parents are sending their kids to school for their education and they should know that their kids will receive a lunch. I think that some parents will choose to send a lunch with their kids but I do think that it should still be required that schools have lunch for the students for those families or kids who don't have access to food or as easy access.

4. If I could change one aspect of this mandate it would definitely be to add in some better ingredients or food that is better for students. No matter if it is more vegetables or even fruit. I think that most schools will say the lunch is healthy but I don't know if all of the ingredients are healthy or good for the students.

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Maddie Bowman

#1- This allows students to have free food. This will help those in need and they won't have to worry about when or how they are going to get their next meal.

#2- Some challenges would be the food not tasting good, or some people are picky eaters.

#3- I agree because a student should not be at school, or leave school hungry.

#4- I think the taste, because I think students should like what they eat.

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Adriana Hobbs

#1- This mandate is very important in education, it gives students access to free meals.

#2- The only criticism I have ever this mandate is that the food may not be the best tasting or quality. With that being said, it is free food so I don't really think there is much room to complain.

#3- I absolutely agree with this mandate, a student should never leave school hungry. Not only is hunger a distraction in the learning environment, but this may be the only meal a student receives. A child should never have to sit through class and stress about where their next meal will be coming from, or if it is coming at all.

#4- Honestly, I do not see much I would change about this mandate, possibly the food options, or getting to send students home with the leftovers. I believe this is a smart mandate, and if there are pickier students they usually have "back up" foods, or options free of allergies.

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Abbey Hall

#1: This mandate provides balanced, low-cost or no-cost lunches to children each school day. It allows them to not worry about getting food during the day and focus more on school work.

#2: There seems to be a lot of concern about the quality and nutritional balance of the food provided to the kids. As well as the free lunches being expensive.

#3: I agree with this mandate. I think no matter what class level students are at they should be able to eat during the day. They shouldn't have to pay a lot of money for their student to eat and get all the nutrients they need.

#4: I think that the quality of the food could be improved to where people aren't concerned with the types of food their child is eating. They could make meals healthier and better for kids and their bodies.

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This mandate allows for all students to receive free lunch which takes the burden off of students and parents that may get in the way of learning.

Some criticisms of this mandate are that the food is "cheap" or less nutritional than what it used to be because schools no longer receive funds from the community.

I agree with this mandate because parents shouldn't have to worry about how or if their child is going to be fed at a place that is required for all kids by law.

If I could change one aspect of this mandate, I would opt for more natural ingredients to be used to cook with.

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Cameron McCullough

#1: The mandate allows students in need to be able to focus on their learning without as much worry about getting a meal.

#2: The program has faced some criticism over the low quality of the food being offered.

#3: I completely agree with the mandate. Students are required to be at school, and rightly so, but they shouldn't be forced to pay lots of money for food there. It should be a right.

#4: There is not much wrong with the mandate in my opinion. The only thing I might change is making the lunch free for those who meet the requirements, not just reduced priced. This has been happening on a larger level since COVID, and I see it as a positive.

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Donny Smith

#1: This mandate helps our community by giving free food to families of students who can't afford it.

#2: Some challenges or criticisms of this mandate would be that the food might not taste as good, or the wealthier students would still have to pay even if it is just like a dollar or so.

#3: I do agree with this mandate. I feel as if the food is free for some students; it should be free for all students. As a child of two educators and not riding the bus, there were days in middle school where I would be running behind and wouldn't be able to make breakfast or my lunch. I would be hungry due to the fact that I had to pay for my food and would forget to ask for money. In high school, I didn't run into that problem of paying, and it made life easier.

#4: If I could change one thing, I would change that it is all free no matter your financial class.

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The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or no-cost lunches to children each school day. This program has played an essential role during the COVID-19 pandemic. At a time of heightened food insecurity for so many families across our state and nation, this program has helped millions who may only get nutritious meals during the school day. The US Department of Agriculture recently announced the continued extension of nationwide flexibilities that allow free school meals for children throughout the entire 2020-2021 school year.

In addition to ESEA, the Federal government continues to administer other programs, including two large ones that tend to get less attention; child nutrition and Head Start.

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The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day. The program was established under the National School Lunch Act, signed by President Harry Truman in 1946.

Program Fact Sheet

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The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day. The program was established under the National School Lunch Act, signed by President Harry Truman in 1946.

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#1 - How does this mandate impact your school or community?

#2 - What are some criticisms or challenges of this mandate?

#3 - Do you agree with this mandate?  Why or why not?

#4 - If you could change one aspect of this mandate, what would it be and why?