Free lunch apps open, health officials warn of stigma

Selbyville, Del., – The school year is right around the corner, and with COVID-19 numbers declining, the USDA has taken away school funding for free school lunches.

However, families will now have to qualify to get that free meal for their child. Health officials warn this can impact a child’s mental health.

“We can all agree that hungry students can’t learn,” says Cliff Toomey, the Superintendent of Nutrition Services of the Indian River School District.

COVID-19 numbers are declining which means some school districts are changing their free lunch program policies. The Indian River School District is one of them.

“In March of 2020, the pandemic started the USDA released some waivers and some flexibilities and provided free meals for all students regardless of eligibility and regardless of income that didn’t matter. We still operate the national school lunch and breakfast program but now to receive a free or reduced meal the families would need to fill out a family meal benefit form for that eligibility,” says Cliff Toomey, the Superintendent of Nutrition Services of Indian River School District.

The return of having to apply for free lunch now can be more than a financial toll on families. It can also impact students in the classroom.

“Food insecurity is associated with a lack of motivation, and lower engagement levels in the classroom so children that are struggling with facing food insecurity are also more likely to experience anxiety, irritability, and teens face a higher rate of developing mental health disorders,” says Ian Bolland, the Chief Marketing Officer of Balance Point Wellness.

Just another reason why it’s so important to fuel those students. So if you’re facing food insecurity, now’s the time to apply.

“This is an opportunity for them to receive a breakfast and a lunch every day and for some of our students, unfortunately, these are some of the only square meals they receive but they can certainly take advantage of a well balanced wholesome meal on a daily basis when we’re in session,” says Cliff Toomey, the Superintendent of Nutrition Services of Indian River School District.

The first day of school is September 6th. The school district is urging that families fill out the free lunch application quickly. For mental health resources, Balance Point Wellness offers nutritional information to minimize that toll on your mental health.