LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) is celebrating National School Lunch Week, which runs from Oct. 9 to 13.
JCPS said more students are eating breakfast and lunch from their schools. The school district saw average daily breakfast participation increase by 35% in August and September this year. Average daily lunch participation rose by 37%.
Terina Edington, the JCPS nutrition services executive administrator, called the “huge increase” in participation “wonderful.”
“A lot of that has to do with our district going district-wide community eligible. That also is due to the hard work of our nutrition service staff from those that serve our students every day,” Edington said.
All JCPS students are eligible for free breakfast and lunch at school.
Mark Boyer, Klondike Lane Elementary School’s principal, said when everyone can get a free meal, it erases the stigma of getting help.
“I was one of those kids. I used to go into the lunchroom myself and before school started have to get the reduced tickets. I used to be one of those kids and that stigma is real to me,” Boyer said.
Boyer said he wants his students to know they’re cared for and can access necessities — such as food — at school.
“When they walk through our red doors, they know there’s people here that care about them. They know regardless of what they had for breakfast — that day they could even have a small breakfast — but they have an opportunity to eat here again today once they come in. Every day it’s a guarantee. It does take that stigma away, but it’s a guarantee that they get that meal once or twice a day,” Edington said.
Kids at Klondike Lane Elementary School said they look forward to lunchtime.
Justice, a 5-year-old Klondike Lane student, said she enjoyed everything she ate for lunch on Wednesday.
“Waffles and watermelon, some chicken nuggets and a brownie,” Justice said.
She said her favorite part of lunch is dessert and talking with her friends.
“I like the brownie, because I like brownies.” Justice said while she looked at her brownie, waiting to be eaten.
Edington said the school district does surveys with students and families often. While many students enjoyed their chicken nuggets Wednesday, many JCPS families have requested meat alternatives become available.
JCPS said it is inviting student to the Showcase of Schools testing room this weekend. Students will be able to taste menu items the district is considering adding to its menu. JCPS said it found these new foods at the national food show this year, but want to make sure they’re student-approved.