The Delta Grassroots Caucus (DGC) is a broad coalition of grassroots leaders in the eight-state Delta region. DGC is also a founding partner of the Economic Equality Caucus,
which advocates for economic equality across the USA.

Major Report Shows Great Benefits of School Meals at No Charge

Posted on June 29, 2023 at 12:59 PM

In this newsletter–

–FRAC issues major report on hunger and nutrition;

–registration, group hotel and schedule info for Nov. 16-17, 2023 Delta Conference in Little Rock

Research Shows Great Benefits of School Meals at No Charge

Unfortunately the Pandemic Program of Free School Meals Has Ended—but Ought to be Made Permanent

The child nutrition waiver offering school meals to their students at no charge was highly beneficial for education, nutrition and other phases of the program, according to a major report from the nonprofit Food Research and Action Center (FRAC). Unfortunately the program offering school meals at no charge has ended.

The impressive beneficial results of offering school meals at no charge indicates that this program ought to be made permanent rather than ending it.

See the full report from FRAC on their website at FRAC.org (Please note—this is not a link so you will need to type in “FRAC.org”)

(Routine disclaimer: The Delta Caucus has no affiliation with FRAC. This message is based on our independent review of their report and our conviction that it has great merit. Editor’s note)

School meals and other nutrition issues will be among the crucial subjects for the Delta Caucus Conference in Little Rock on Nov. 16-17, 2023; Registration, Schedule and Group Hotel information is below in this message.

FRAC surveyed many school districts across the country and found numerous benefits to offering school meals to all students at no charge, regardless of household income.

–92 percent reported that it made it easier for parents and guardian

–88 percent reported that it decreased child hunger.

–86 percent reported that it eliminated stigma associated with school meals.

–86 percent reported that it supported household finances.

–84 percent reported that it eliminated school meal debt.

–79 percent reported that it eased administrative burdens.

–70 percent reported that it improves students’ food and nutrient intake.

–67 percent reported that it strengthens food and nutrition services’ image and relationships.

–65 percent reported that it supports academic achievement.

Many school districts across the country reported decreased participation in school breakfast and lunch when the child nutrition waiver allowing schools to offer school meals to all of their students at no charge ended.

Hunger and nutrition issues remain crucial issues for the Greater Delta and will be among the key issues covered at the Nov. 16-17, 2023 Delta Caucus Conference in Little Rock—registration, schedule and group hotel information for the conference is below in this message.

Six of the 10 states with the worst food insecurity levels are in the Greater Delta Region, according to a March, 2023 report by FRAC

West Virginia (15.1% of residents are food insecure)

Mississippi (15% of residents are food insecure)

Louisiana (14.8% of residents are food insecure)

Oklahoma (14.6% of residents are food insecure)

Alabama (14% of residents are food insecure)

Kentucky (13.8% of residents are food insecure)

New Mexico (13.4% of residents are food insecure)

Texas (13.3% of of residents are food insecure)

Arkansas (12.6% of residents are food insecure)

Tennessee (12.5% of of residents are food insecure)

FRAC’s Large School District Report: Operating School Nutrition Programs as the Nation Recovers From the Pandemic looks at survey findings from 91 large school districts in 40 states and the District of Columbia, and their reported school meal participation and operations in April 2022 and October 2022.

Decrease in school meal participation: The report reveals that average daily participation in school breakfast decreased by more than 100,000 students across the surveyed districts — from 1.84 million children participating in breakfast each day in April 2022 to 1.74 million participating daily in October 2022.

Districts also saw a decrease in school lunch participation by over 250,000 students — from 3.61 million students participating in lunch each day in April 2022 to 3.36 million participating daily in October 2022.

Problems with school food service departments: FRAC reported that despite a return to normal operations this school year, school food service departments reported continuing to face a multitude of challenges affecting operations and participation, such as rising food costs, supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, and more. Fifty-eight of the 91 surveyed districts (64 percent) returned to the free, reduced-price, and paid tiered eligibility system and no longer offered free meals to all students in at least one of their schools.

Delta Caucus partners wholeheartedly agree with FRAC’s position that it is detrimental to lose the progress brought about by the Healthy School Meals for All program, because going back to the pre-pandemic situation leads to many children losing the nutrition they need for health and learning.

We ought to have permanent nationwide healthy school meals for all students.

Pass the Universal Free School Meals Program Act of 2023: We need permanent legislative action to assure that all students have access to healthy school meals at no charge. Congress needs to pass the Universal Free School Meals Program Act of 2023, Congress would help ensure that every student across the country has access to school meals, as well as nutrition they need after school, in the summer, and in child care.

CONTACT: Lee Powell, Caucus Director (202) 360-6347

Email: Leepowell@delta.comcastbiz.net

Please RSVP for the Delta Grassroots Caucus Conference on Nov. 16-17, 2023 in Little Rock

Please RSVP for the Delta Grassroots Caucus conference on November 16-17, 2023 in Little Rock to advocate for and disseminate important information about the 8-state Delta’s community and economic development.

You register and RSVP by paying the $100 Registration fees. Info on how to pay is below.

The Friday session on Nov. 17, 2023 is at the Clinton Library Great Hall from about 8:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. The opening session is Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023 from 4:45 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Opening session will be on Thursday evening, November 16, 2023 from about 4:45 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at a central Little Rock location, (probably the Arkansas Capitol Rotunda but they do not take reservations this far ahead of time).

Clinton Library Great Hall session is set for Friday, November 17, 2023 from 8:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 1:30 p.m.

GROUP HOTEL: The group hotel is the Comfort Inn & Suites Presidential in Little Rock. To get the group rate call the hotel at 501-687-7700 and say you are with the Delta Caucus group.

REGISTRATION FEES

You register and RSVP by paying the $100 registration fees.

GROUP DISCOUNTS: If you can bring a group of three or more, we will give a group discount down to $50 each, and for a group of four or more we will reduce it to $30 each.

The easiest way to register is to go on the website at mdgc.us and go to the Paypal link that says “Donate.”

If you prefer to pay by check, make out the check to “Delta Caucus” and mail to our office in the Washington, DC area:

Delta Caucus

5030 Purslane Place

Waldorf, MD 20601

SPEAKERS TO BE INVITED: We plan to invite President Bill Clinton, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, US Sen. John Boozman, Congressman Rick Crawford, Congressman French Hill, Congressman Bruce Westerman, state legislators, mayors and other elected officials, nonprofits, community-minded business leaders, experts in transportation, health care, hunger and nutrition, job creation, Delta Heritage tourism and related regional issues.

We will cover a range of key issues, starting with job creation at good wages. Among the other issues will be included:

Hunger and nutrition: Many school districts reported decreased participation in school breakfast and lunch when the nationwide child nutrition waiver that allowed schools to offer school meals to all of their students at no charge ended. This is documented in an in-depth report by the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC).

Rebuilding after storms: We will give attention to the long-term task of rebuilding after the storms and look at ways to warn people of storms and other ways to reduce the damage.

We will also address the issue of police violence. We know most law enforcement officers are dedicated, reasonable public servants, but we need to improve our efforts to prevent those with violent tendencies from being hired and/or punish those who are violent on the job. This problem exists for everyone, but unfortunately is most acute for African Americans and other minorities.

Please join us in Little Rock on Nov. 16-17, 2023. Thanks–Lee Powell, Delta Caucus (202) 360-6347