-
Advocates push for continued funding for free school breakfasts in Connecticut
Students and school nutrition workers are pushing lawmakers to continue funding for free breakfasts. Gov. Ned Lamont’s budget proposal includes $11.6 million, a figure advocates would say is enough to continue providing a benefit they believe has been very successful this year. “Without healthy and nutritious meals that the school provides, we cannot grow into be future leaders,” Eva Duponte,…
-
Advocates push for continued funding for free school breakfasts in Connecticut
Schools were able to offer free lunches after returning from COVID thanks to federal funding. But that money is no longer available.
-
School meal debt surges in schools across the state
It’s a problem on many schools’ plates right now: soaring school meal debt. “Nationwide, more than 90% of school districts that have to charge for meals are reporting challenges with unpaid meal debt,” Diane Pratt-Heavner, spokesperson for the School Nutrition Association, said. Heavner said that when families are unable to pay for their child’s meals, school districts are left...
-
Connecticut families struggle to pay off school meal debt
During the pandemic, the federal government offered free school meals for all students. But now, many schools have returned to their paid meal model, making it tough on families who benefitted from the assistance.
-
Governor announces expansion of state's free school meals program
The state plans to invest $16 million of funding the state received from the American Rescue Plan Act into the program.
-
Groton and New London provide free summer meals in Norwich
The school districts are stepping in to help after the state learned that Norwich was only operating two of its 21 approved summer meal sites.
-
Groton and New London provide free summer meals in Norwich
Food service workers from Groton and New London are stepping in to make sure students in Norwich have access to food this summer. The school districts, at the state’s request, are taking over several free summer meal sites in the city after Norwich Public Schools failed to operate all of its approved and advertised meal locations. According to a...
-
Norwich volunteers step in to feed kids while free summer meal program is in flux
Norwich Bully Busters, a volunteer group working with young people in the city, is stepping in to fill a need for students in search of a meal this week. “Our goal today is just feeding kids,” said Debbie Kievits, who leads the group. “Spreading some kindness, making some sandwiches to feed them and so they don’t go hungry.” Tuesday...
-
Norwich volunteers step in to feed kids while free summer meal program is in flux
The district was approved to serve free summer meals at more than a dozen sites starting June 20, but they have only been operating two of them.
-
Advocates Urge State to Continue Funding Free School Meals
K through 12 schools across Connecticut currently offer free school meals, but the state’s emergency funding is only meant to last until the end of the school year. Now, advocates are working to make sure this funding continues. This comes as the Appropriations Committee came out with their budget proposal Tuesday. While it included line items for food subsidies, it didn’t...
-
Advocates Push to Continue Free School Meals Program
The state’s free school meals program ends at the end of the school year, but some say Connecticut should make it permanent.
-
Plan for Permanent Free School Meals Moves Forward
Lawmakers are considering making school meals free to all students for good. Right now, the program is set to run out at the end of the school year.
-
Plant-Based Food, Nutritious Options Expand Menus and Minds at Middletown Schools
The lunchroom landscape is changing in Middletown Public Schools. The district has launched a series of initiatives to bring more nutrition and education options to students, expanding menus and minds. Plant-based food is a trend sweeping fast food chains, grocery stores and now, school cafeterias. Middletown Public Schools is serving up more plant-based plates. “Most of the students actually said…
-
Some Connecticut School Districts Begin Charging for Lunches Again
State funding to help districts transition back to charging for school meals is starting to run out.
-
Some Connecticut School Districts Begin Charging for Lunches Again
For the first time in more than two years, some Connecticut parents will have to start paying for their children to eat in school. State funding that allowed schools to continue offering meals at no cost to students is now, as expected, beginning to run out. There are kids who are going to go hungry and there are families who…