A Milwaukee School District Withdraws From Free Lunch Program Because It Made Students “Spoiled”

A Milwaukee school district has pulled out of the federal free lunch program over fears that students and families would “become spoiled.”

Last year, the Waukesha school district leaders pulled out of the pandemic school lunch program, which guaranteed meals for all children whether they were enrolled in a reduced lunch plan or not. However, school board members prevented the move. This school year, the district decided not to participate. This ruling has sparked an outcry from parents and children advocates who are pressuring the board to continue the vital program. On Friday, the Alliance for Education in Waukesha held a protest outside the district’s office to demand that the school re-enroll.

Several members of the school board defended the decision to do away with entirely free meals for students.

“As we get back to whatever you want to believe is normal, we have decisions to make. I would say this is part of normalization,” said school board president Joseph Como. Board member Karin Rajnicek state that receiving the free lunch caused families and kids to “become spoiled.”

Executive director of Hunger Task Force Sherrie Tussler disagrees. She says the program is essential for making sure that no child goes hungry. She says that the free lunches “gives the district the opportunity to not sort children” but instead “feed them all.”

Waukesha students who live in low-income households may still apply for free or reduced-price meals under the traditional National School Lunch Program, which was in place before the COVID-19 emergency free school meals were implemented. However, students must be approved for this program. Young scholars who arrive at school without a packed lunch or enrolled in a lunch program may still qualify for cheese sandwiches during their school day.