Free lunch program falling on tough times

It's a bit counterintuitive, but tough economic times around the Flathead have not translated into markedly higher enrollment in the Bigfork Schools' free and reduced lunch program. And that has the program in a tough economic spot.

"We're starting to run a deficit for the free and reduced lunch program," said Superintendent Russ Kinzer. "Our food costs have increased and there's been a usage decline because of enrollment."

The reason declining use puts the program on the ropes is that the federal government reimburses the school for each student enrolled for free and reduced lunches.

"We're asking people to sign up if they're eligible because it will help our program," Kinzer said.

The income guidelines for a family of four are a maximum of $27,560 to be eligible for the free meals and a maximum of $39,320 for the reduced price.

District Business Manager Eda Taylor, who oversees the dining services on campus, said the district sent out a flyer in December to parents, informing them of the program and also making sure they knew sign up is not restricted to the beginning of the year.

"Once you've signed up, you don't have to re-sign up," Taylor said. "But if this month they're all working and have jobs and are fine but next month they aren't, by all means call us and we can work with them."

In Bigfork Elementary and Middle School (grades K-8), 171 students are enrolled in the program, accounting for 36 percent of the student body. In the high school 69 students, 22 percent, are enrolled.

Students who are eligible for, and enrolled in, the lunch program are also automatically eligible for free or reduced breakfasts.

Across Montana, only 42.9 percent of eligible low-income students in Montana participated in the national School Breakfast Program, according to the School Breakfast Scorecard published by the Food Research and Action Center.

"At a time when more families are struggling and their hardships are increasing, it is imperative to expand the reach of the School Breakfast Program," said Jim Weill, President of FRAC. "With only 43 low-income children eating breakfast for every 100 that eat lunch, Montana is below the national average and has room for improvement. This is a time of growing hunger and economic distress around the nation, but there are important opportunities to respond for both the short-term and the long-term."

Nationally, schools are seeing an increase in program participation, with the School Nutrition Association saying that a national survey indicated 80 percent of schools reported an increase.

For more information on the program at Bigfork schools, contact the district office at 837-7400.