Bellows bill would modernize access to school meals for hungry kids

Posted: March 25, 2019 | Senator Bellows

A bill introduced by Sen. Shenna Bellows, D-Manchester, to modernize the application process for free or reduced-price lunches for Maine students was the subject of a public hearing in the Legislature’s Education and Cultural Affairs Committee on Monday.

LD 701 “An Act to Modernize the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program,” requires the Department of Education to develop, and make available, an online application that schools may use for all eligible students for free or reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast.

The bill builds upon a law from Sen. Bellows from 2017, LD 1113, which required the Department of Education to make available information about online applications for school lunch and school breakfast programs. LD 701 streamlines this process by having the Department develop one online system, rather than having up to 174 different software programs from each district to do the same thing.

“The research is clear: When children are fed, children can learn. When children are hungry, they can’t learn because nutrition is inextricably linked to brain development,” said Sen. Bellows. “The more we can expand access to the free and reduced lunch program to ensure that every child who needs it, the more successful we will be in every educational program we undertake.”

LD 701 will increase the number of parents who fully complete the forms necessary for students to qualify for free or reduce-price lunches. Parents, particularly those who grew up with the internet, are increasingly comfortable doing things online. Online forms also reduce worry of children losing forms, or returning them to the wrong place. Additionally, they increase privacy for parents who worry about the wrong people seeing their detailed financial information included on these forms.

Additionally, if school districts develop individual online application, there is no guarantee that information can be easily transferred to another district – a complication that wouldn’t be present with one unified system.

“School Nutrition programs have long struggled to provide Free/Reduced Meal Applications to families and more importantly to have the information returned to the program administrator,” said Laura Pineo, Director of School Nutrition at RSU/MSAD 54 in Skowhegan. “By providing a single source, consistent on-line application to be used statewide, Nutrition Directors will all be providing a uniform message to families as they begin the school year or relocated within the state at any time… Electronic applications will also enhance the timeline of processing applications and providing the appropriate benefits to our students.”

Also testifying in favor of LD 701 were the Maine Education Association; Dr. Victoria Rogers, Pediatrician and Senior Director of Let’s Go! at the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center; and Justin Alfond with Full Plates Full Potential.

Paper applications would still be made available for families who want or need that option.

LD 701 faces further action in the committee, as well as votes in the Maine House and Senate.