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Hernando Today

Free, Reduced School Lunch Numbers Spike

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By LINNEA BROWN

Published: May 14, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - The worsening economy is causing an influx of free and reduced lunch applications at the Hernando County School District.

Lori Drenth, director of food and nutritional services for the district, said that while officials typically see a decline in free and reduced lunch applications by December — often processing forms only for transfer students or those whose families have suddenly hit on hard times — this year is different.

Even with less than a month to go until school lets out for summer, applications have been trickling in at a rate of at least 10 per day, Drenth said.

So far, the district has 8,337 students receiving free meals, 2,588 on reduced meals — 48.4 percent — and 11,659 students paying full price.

This is a significant increase from the district's typical count of 42 or 43 percent, and Drenth said she wouldn't be surprised to see that number surpass 50 percent next year.

"It's very possible, with the way the economy is," she said. "It'll be interesting."

How it works

While all families must fill out an application, they can qualify in one of two ways, using income standards set by the federal government.

One way is for families already receiving food stamps or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, who have already met certain standards. They need only provide their case number on the application, Drenth said.

Otherwise, they must meet qualifications based on the number of individuals in the household and total annual income.

Currently, for children in a family of four to qualify for the free or reduced lunch program, annual family income must be below $38,203. During the 2008-09 school year, annual income must be below $39,220.

A child in elementary school with no financial assistance pays $1.70 for a school lunch.

A child who qualifies for the reduced lunch program pays 40 cents, while a student who qualifies for free lunch does not pay anything.

Breakfast is available, as well, with a typical reduced breakfast going for 30 cents.

In all district schools, applications are sent home with each child on the first day of school, with a 15-day grace period for children who qualified for free and reduced lunch the previous year.

Parents may also pick up applications at the district office over the summer.

Tuesday, the district had processed 7,666 applications so far this year, with the number continuing to rise.

Each year, about 3 percent of applicants are randomly selected via computer and audited.

Those families are then required to present specific documents that provide proof of income, such as paycheck stubs or W-2 income tax forms.

Nutritional guidelines

So what are kids eating these days?

On any given day, elementary school students are offered three entré choices, middle school students are offered six or seven and in high school, even more.

"We want to make sure they have good options, and things they really want to eat," Drenth said.

For example, on Wednesday, local elementary school students were offered a menu of a tossed vegetable salad, baked chicken with a roll or barbecued rib sandwich, with side dishes of a tossed salad, mashed potatoes (with or without gravy) and an apple (with or without peanut butter). Drink options each day consist of flavored or unflavored milk and fruit juice.

Middle school students were offered all of those items, plus pizza (cheese or pepperoni), a chicken sandwich (regular or spicy) and various standard options such as a personal pan pizza or hamburger, Drenth said.

For children with allergies or specific health requirements, a "care plan" is developed with school nurses and parents to make sure those students get special choices when needed.

All of the menus are computerized, with students' choices analyzed each week to determine if federal nutritional requirements are being met. Currently, a typical lunch for a middle or high school student is expected to contain no more than 825 calories, 16 grams of protein, 30 percent of total calories from fat and 10 percent from saturated fat.

Requirements are also set for levels of iron, calcium and vitamins A and C, with strong recommendations in place to watch sodium content and increase fiber and whole grains.

But it's an ever-evolving process, Drenth said.

"We're working with the federal government to revise some of those guidelines because some of those calorie levels are a little high," she said.

Paying for it

The federal government subsidizes all reimbursable meals — or those that meet federal nutritional guidelines — with added assistance given for free and reduced lunches. For every student who eats, the government gives the district's food services department a certain amount to cover each student.

However, it is rarely enough to cover the full amount for reimbursable lunches, forcing district officials to make up the difference in what they charge students, Drenth said.

Currently, the highest amount that the district can be reimbursed is $2.60 for a student receiving free lunch, $1 for a student receiving a reduced lunch and between 40 and 60 cents for each student paying the full amount.

However, that money must also fund all materials, ingredients and labor. Funding for food services does not come from the district's general fund, and instead is considered a self-supporting enterprise.

"We operate like a restaurant or any other business," Drenth said.

This year, the annual budget — or cost of paying all salaries, benefits, uniforms and supplies for the district's 180 managers, production specialists and food and nutrition assistants — totaled $8.5 million.

Two registered dietitians and an administrative assistant also work in the district office.

Tuesday, Drenth will go before the school board and ask for permission to increase the cost of "a la carte" items for high school students, or items purchased individually — such as hamburgers, sports drinks or milk — that do not meet the qualifications for federal reimbursement.

She intends to ask for a 5 percent increase, or the product's cost plus 105 percent. For example, milk that currently sells for 40 cents will increase to 45 cents.

"We're like every other business across America," Drenth said. "When parents don't have money to send kids to school with money or they bring their lunch from home, then it affects our program."

Reporter Linnea Brown can be reached at 352-544-5289 or lbrown@hernandotoday.com.

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