Having a Good Nutrition in School

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While learning does not end when school is out, neither does the need for good nutrition (“Benefits”, n.d.). Good nutrition is very beneficial to children, especially school age children. Not only does it provide nutritional benefits to help with their growth process, it also enhances their learning process. Senate Bill 89 (SB 89), passed in the 83rd regular session, ensure that low income children acquire free meals in the summer when school is not in session. Although, SB 89 ensures nutritious meals for children in the summer, the bill does not go far enough. The bill failed to take into account the following; transportation issues, the number of days the program operates weekly and the statutory requirement that only school districts with fifty percent (50%) or more of their students qualifying for the free and reduced lunch program are required to implement the program. Besides the above listed problems, the implementation of the bill faces a major barrier to participation and lack of awareness.

The current statutory requirement under SB 89 requires school districts with 50% or more of their students receiving free and reduced meal to qualify for funds and is required to implement the summer food program. School districts not meeting this requirement do not qualify for this funding and are not required to implement this program. In addition to not being required to implement the program, school districts can file for exemption from implementation under SB 89. This not only creates a flaw in the program’s framework, it leaves hundred of children in the State hungry during the summer months. Although, the bill aimed to address this issue by changing the previous requirement under Senate Bill 376 from 60% to 50% under SB 89, t...

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