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4/17/2007 Bill would boost school breakfast aid
Omaha
World Herald 4/17/2007 |
All children in Nebraska should have sufficient
food to meet daily nutritional requirements and achieve
normal growth and development.
Under-nutrition during any time in a child’s
life can have detrimental effects on cognitive development
and later productivity as adults. It impacts a child’s
school performance (concentration and ability to perform
tasks) and behavior. While Nebraska ranks below the
national average in households experiencing food insecurity
(inconsistent access to meals and nutritious food),
we have a higher rate than our surrounding states
such as Iowa and the Dakotas. Supplemental food programs
have been proven effective in offsetting under-nutrition
and food insecurity for children.
There are several programs that provide supplemental
foods such as:
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women,
Infants and Children (WIC)
WIC provides supplemental foods such as milk, cereal,
cheese, and juice through vouchers while educating
mothers on the nutritional needs of their families.
Participation has increased steadily over the past
eight years (1998-2005). In 2005, an average of 40,252
women and children were served by Nebraska WIC programs.
Participation in the program helps ensure children's
normal growth, reduce levels of anemia, increases
immunization rates, improves access to regular health
care and improves diets. Children participating in
WIC also demonstrate better cognitive performance.
National studies have shown Medicaid costs reduced
on average between $12,000 and $15,000 per infant
for every very low birth-weight (less than 1500 grams)
prevented.
Food Stamps
Food Stamps are coupons provided by the government
to low-income individuals and families. The coupons
can be redeemed for food items in retail food stores.
Studies show that families are suffering food insecurity
and are skipping meals to make up for their inability
to purchase food. Both the USDA and former President
Clinton expressed concern for the lack of food stamp
utilization by those who need it. In 1999, the Clinton
administration addressed and changed some of the rules
surrounding the approval process for receipt of food
stamps.
In 2005, the use of Food Stamps rose from previous
years. There were 60,672 children ages 0-17 found
eligible to receive food stamps.
School Meals
The USDA provides financial support to all school
lunch and breakfast programs regardless of the school';s
location or the income of the families served by that
school. A school only needs to apply to receive USDA
reimbursement for the meals. Due to the fact that
children concentrate better, behave better, and perform
better when they are well nourished and not hungry,
the Nebraska Unicameral passed legislation in Spring
2000 to encourage schools to serve breakfast. This
legislation allocated a reimbursement to schools of
$.05 per school breakfast served, supplementing the
federal per-meal reimbursement already established.
Voices for Children was instrumental in getting this
legislation passed.
During the 2004-2005 school year 657 schools in 248
districts participated in the school breakfast program.
A monthly average of 30,148 children benefited from
receiving free or reduced priced breakfasts.
Center
on Hunger & Poverty
www.centeronhunger.org
Food Research and Action Center
www.frac.org
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