Health News
All students in as many as 102 of Kentucky's 174 school districts will get a free lunch every day starting next month. Kentucky is one of three states to be chosen for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Universal Meal Service pilot program, which is to run for the next four years.
- 'hard Times' Help 13 More Schools In Paducah Area Join About 20 In Federal Program That Gives Free Meals To All Students
Thirteen more schools in the Paducah area will offer free breakfasts and lunches to all students under a provision of the federal school-lunch program, joining about 20 others in the region, reports Genevieve Postelthwait of The Paducah Sun. "Schools...
- Some School Districts Reject Federal Offer Of Free Lunch For All Students, Saying Schools Would Lose Money On The Deal
Some school districts are rejecting a federal program that would provide free meals to all students in districts with a certain percentage of students in poverty, Jared Nelson reports for The Times Leader in Princeton, after the Caldwell County Schools...
- Free-for-all Food Program Increases Student Participation, Raises Ky. Breakfast Count By 25% With Only 39% Of Districts Participating
Kentucky schools participating in a program that provides free breakfast and lunch to all students in high-poverty schools have significantly increased student participation in school lunch and breakfast programs, Charles Edwards reports for Education...
- Usda Issues New School Lunch Rules; Not As Broad As First Written, But Will Make Meals Healthier
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has released new, finalized requirements that will make school lunch a healthier meal for students. The guidelines will mean:? Students will be given both fruit and vegetables every school day.? More foods will be made...
- 128 Kentucky Schools Get Money For Fresh Fruits And Veggies
More than 50,000 students in 128 Kentucky elementary schools will be served fresh fruits and vegetables in the coming school years as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. The program ensures children are...
Health News
All students at many Kentucky schools will get free lunches, regardless of household income
All students in as many as 102 of Kentucky's 174 school districts will get a free lunch every day starting next month. Kentucky is one of three states to be chosen for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Universal Meal Service pilot program, which is to run for the next four years.
To be in the program, a school must have at least 40 percent of its students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch through regular USDA programs, based on household income. Schools must also be certified with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program (KTAP), the successor of welfare. Districts containing eligible schools must notify the Kentucky Department of Education's Division of School and Community Nutrition of their intent to participate by July 29. Parents "don't have to do anything to make this happen," said Lisa Gross, spokeswoman for KDE.
"Really what this program is designed to do is cut down on the bureaucracy," Gross said." "If a school is identified as eligible, that takes care of a lot of reporting. It's designed to cut down on the red tape." Tennessee and Illinois are the other two states chosen to participate. By 2014, all states will be eligible for it, under requirements of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act.
The Covington and Owsley County school districts have the highest percentage of students ? 88 percent ? eligible for free or reduced-priced lunch. Magoffin County has the second highest with 86 percent followed by Newport (85%); Bell County (83%); and West Point Independent in Hardin County (81%). To see a list of all 102 eligible districts, click here.
- 'hard Times' Help 13 More Schools In Paducah Area Join About 20 In Federal Program That Gives Free Meals To All Students
Thirteen more schools in the Paducah area will offer free breakfasts and lunches to all students under a provision of the federal school-lunch program, joining about 20 others in the region, reports Genevieve Postelthwait of The Paducah Sun. "Schools...
- Some School Districts Reject Federal Offer Of Free Lunch For All Students, Saying Schools Would Lose Money On The Deal
Some school districts are rejecting a federal program that would provide free meals to all students in districts with a certain percentage of students in poverty, Jared Nelson reports for The Times Leader in Princeton, after the Caldwell County Schools...
- Free-for-all Food Program Increases Student Participation, Raises Ky. Breakfast Count By 25% With Only 39% Of Districts Participating
Kentucky schools participating in a program that provides free breakfast and lunch to all students in high-poverty schools have significantly increased student participation in school lunch and breakfast programs, Charles Edwards reports for Education...
- Usda Issues New School Lunch Rules; Not As Broad As First Written, But Will Make Meals Healthier
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has released new, finalized requirements that will make school lunch a healthier meal for students. The guidelines will mean:? Students will be given both fruit and vegetables every school day.? More foods will be made...
- 128 Kentucky Schools Get Money For Fresh Fruits And Veggies
More than 50,000 students in 128 Kentucky elementary schools will be served fresh fruits and vegetables in the coming school years as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. The program ensures children are...