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District food service reports surge in participation after universal free-meal change; department emphasizes budget balancing and program supports
Summary
The district’s food and nutrition director reported a large increase in meal participation after a state change that made breakfast and lunch free for all students; the program serves about 600,000 meals annually and relies on federal/state reimbursements, USDA commodities and local revenue to balance a roughly $2–3 million fund.
Holly Podpescuir, dietitian and director of the food and nutrition program for Grand Rapids Public Schools, reported to the school board that the department is preparing about 600,000 meals this year and is operating a fund with an annual budget “within a $2,000,000 budget, and it's actually upwards of 2,000,000, closing in on 3,000,000.”
Podpescuir said legislation enacted a little more than a year ago that allows all students to receive a school breakfast and lunch free of charge has changed participation patterns. In the first year after the change the district served about 30,000 more breakfasts and 55,000 more lunches than in an average year. “They can just pick something colorful and nutritious and go past the cashier,” she said, describing the streamlined meal…
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