School lunches solve problem

As a child of nine when the Second World War ended, many people had starved or were at least deprived of adequate nourishment. Food was scarce. Fortunately my family did not suffer. When school dinners, as we called the lunchtime meal, became available in schools many children then enjoyed a daily hot meal. I tried this free meal only once and declared it horrible. We were also provided in school each day with a pint of milk, a welcome addition to their already meagre diet. Why not institute this practice here.? Dairy farmers would be happy.

For one entire year I would eat nothing but Heinz baked beans (I still like them) after an operation that affected my taste. The doctor assured my parents this was a good choice on my part since beans were nourishing and are still relatively inexpensive. I did not see an orange until I was 10 years old. Ships had vital cargoes to deliver, and fruit was not one of them.

My question is that long ago in a post-war era in England when food rationing still existed, school children did not go hungry, so why in this day and age of plenty are some children going hungry in our community? Surely there are ways to provide enough food for everyone.

Our school meals in England were free, government-sponsored no doubt. Having worked here in both federal and provincial governments I witnessed terrible waste of resources in both areas; their funding would better have gone to more worthy causes, feeding children for example. Apparently a meal is available in some schools and I hope that all P.E.I. schools can make food available to students if the need is there.

It is shameful that this has not happened as yet? Hilary Prince, Stratford