Charleston, South Carolina – In an alarming revelation, recent data has indicated that approximately one out of every seven children in South Carolina is grappling with inadequate nourishment. As the state legislature is poised to finalize the forthcoming state budget within the ensuing weeks, advocates fervently implore legislators to address this pressing concern.
Within the intricate framework of the state budget, temporary laws—known as provisos—hold sway for the duration of the budget’s effectiveness, which typically spans one year. As deliberations on the imminent budget unfold, one such proviso warranting careful consideration pertains to the accessibility of nourishing meals within the school environment.
The adoption of this proviso could potentially alleviate the hunger crisis afflicting South Carolina’s youth, paving the way for a more equitable future. With the clock ticking, advocates ardently call upon the state’s decision-makers to take decisive action in the interest of these vulnerable children.
“We know that children learn better when they have a full stomach. They pay attention better,” Sen. Katrina Shealy, R – Lexington, said, according to Live 5 News.
In instances where a substantial proportion of students within a particular school or district meet the eligibility criteria for free or economically-discounted meals, the school or district in question may submit an application to the federal government. Upon successful application, all students within the respective institution can benefit from complimentary meals, courtesy of the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Community Eligibility Program. This initiative exemplifies a concerted effort to address food insecurity and promote the well-being of students across the nation.
“We have schools — about 108 at last count — that were qualified to participate in the Community Eligibility Program to receive the federal reimbursements, but they weren’t participating,” Meg Stanley, executive director of the nonprofit Wholespire, which promotes access to nutrition and healthy lifestyles in South Carolina.
The provisional legislation, encompassed within the budgetary version endorsed by the Senate but not the House of Representatives, mandates that eligible schools and districts participate in the schoolwide and districtwide free meal initiative during the upcoming academic year. This temporary measure, if ultimately adopted, would serve to bolster the nutritional welfare of students in participating institutions, thereby fostering an environment conducive to their holistic development.
“One of the most effective ways to ensure that children have access to nutritious food is to make sure they have that access in the school,” Bryan Boroughs of the Greenville-based Institute for Child Success said.
Additionally, the proposed proviso seeks to eradicate the pernicious practice of meal shaming within educational institutions. Meal shaming, a lamentable tactic employed by certain schools and districts, entails the denial of participation in activities such as field trips for students burdened with meal debt or the provision of disparate meals to those qualifying for free lunches compared to their fee-paying peers.
By explicitly prohibiting such discriminatory actions, the proviso aims to foster a more equitable and compassionate school environment for all students, irrespective of their financial circumstances.
“By really addressing these avenues of making certain that all the kids are receiving the same meals, they’re not labeled as being different,” Stanley said.
In an ambitious endeavor to address the pervasive issue of food insecurity among students, Senator Shealy has introduced legislation that seeks to perpetually guarantee complimentary meals for all South Carolina public school pupils.
Despite the imminent culmination of this year’s legislative session, which precludes the possibility of the bill’s passage, Shealy remains undaunted in her pursuit and has expressed her unwavering determination to continue advocating for the cause in the forthcoming year.
The previous year witnessed the implementation of a groundbreaking law that effectively barred South Carolina educational institutions from employing the services of debt collection agencies to recover outstanding funds from families burdened with meal-related debts.
This progressive step demonstrates the growing concern surrounding the provision of essential sustenance to students and highlights the necessity of further legislative action to ensure the well-being of South Carolina’s youth.
