MORE STUDENTS WILL EAT FREE MEALS NEXT YEAR

Community Eligibility, which Congress passed in 2010 as part of a broader school nutrition measure is finally expanding to all 50 states. Last year, more than 4,000 schools in 11 states participated. But now the question facing district officials in newly eligible states, including Connecticut, is whether it makes financial sense to participate. Since the federal government pays for only a share of the expansion, states must pay the balance. As a result, not all school districts are expected to participate. In schools where nearly all students are already receiving free lunch, will see little change in federal funding. That’s because they are already being reimbursed for nearly all lunches served at the higher free-lunch federal rate – which can top $3 per meal – rather than the lower rate, which can be well below $1 per lunch. But if eligibility is closer to the 40% participation threshold, the school will have to make up the difference.

 

Source:  Stateline, 6/13/14, Community Eligibility