LOUSD students receive free school meals

In an effort to make sure all students are able to eat at least two meals daily, Live Oak Unified School District has started serving free breakfasts and lunches to all students in the district.

According to a news release from the school district, due to the poverty rate and the fact that 82 percent of students qualified for free or reduced lunch, the district qualified for a federal grant program – the Community Eligibility Provision.

The program comes from the USDA and is based on the percentage of students who are eligible for free meals based on their participation in other means-tested programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, according to the USDA website.

The program provides reimbursed funding to the school so it can provide meals at no cost to the families – seconds and snacks would require payment, but the main meals are paid for, Martin Svec, a computer teacher in the district said.

“We see it every year – educators across the U.S. see it every year – kids coming to school hungry, teachers providing snacks in the classroom or kids just waiting it out until lunch,” said Mathew Gulbrandsen, superintendent of the district, in the release. “It is critical that we take care of our students’ basic needs so they can focus on the work to be done in the classroom.”

Svec said the program started at the beginning of the school year.

“This program allows us to provide two quality, healthy meals to all students every day,” Gulbrandsen said. “Moreover, it fosters a feeling that school is where they’re nourished socially, mentally and physically.”

Other districts in the area, such as Yuba City Unified School District and Marysville Joint Unified School District, also offer free meals to students under the Community Eligibility Provision.