The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) has awarded $6.9 million in state funds to 481 selected schools to participate in the Maryland Meals for Achievement Program (MMFA). The funds supplement the federal reimbursement schools receive through the U.S. Department of Agriculture School Breakfast Program and will allow the MMFA Program to reach 240,665 Maryland Students in school year 2014-2015.
Maryland Meals for Achievement provides in-classroom breakfast to all students in participating schools at no charge regardless of family income. Students eat at their desks while teachers take attendance and do other morning activities. State funding for the MMFA program was increased by $1.7 million for the 2014-2015 school year. The increased funding will provide in-classroom breakfast to an additional 66,738 students in 122 additional schools throughout Maryland. Since the 2007-08 school year, school breakfast participation among students who already eat a free or reduced-price school lunch increased by 37 percent.
The increase in funding is a result of Governor Martin O’Malley’s commitment to end childhood hunger in Maryland by 2015. The Governor’s Partnership to End Childhood Hunger works to fight childhood hunger through raising awareness and increasing participation in the federal child nutrition programs.
"We have made the choice to drive down childhood hunger in this State, and the Maryland Meals for Achievement Program is a proven winner for our students," said Gov. O'Malley. "Better nutrition means better learning, and better learning means a better future for all of our children."
With funding allocated annually, the participating schools are determined by the amount of state funds available. Maryland law requires the selection of schools to represent geographic and socioeconomic balance. The Maryland State Department of Education also considers previous participation in MMFA and the priorities of county food and nutrition service directors when making selections.
“Having access to a healthy, nutritious breakfast prepares students for their academic day and ensures they start the school day ready to learn,” said State Superintendent of Schools Lillian Lowery.
School administrators and teachers credit the MMFA program with improving student test scores, behavior and well-being. Parents praise the program as a way for their children to prepare for their academic day.
For more information on Maryland’s School Nutrition Programs and a list of participating schools visit:www.eatsmartmaryland.org.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
11 comments:
The people on food stamps should have their benefits reduced by the costs of the school breakfasts when school is in session - we should NOT provide multiple handouts for the same problem!
What is wrong with some of you people? We're talking about kids that need food and nutrition. This does not hurt one of you complainers out there. Get a life.
Taxpayers are paying parents to provide meals through food stamps. If those same meals are being provided at school, taxpayers are paying twice. Deduct cost of meals from food stamps if kids are being fed two meals a day for half a year at school. No one is denying kids food, but why pay double for 180 days of the school year? If kids are too young to be in school, no deduction from food stamps.
10:58
This comes from out taxes so yes it can hurt other people. Many people don't qualify for any benefits. While they are paying higher taxes and working 2 jobs to try to get by the lazy sit on their behinds and keep getting their benefits increased. If they get free breakfast and lunch their food stamp benefits SHOULD be reduced. I will never understand why the people that have made poor choices in their life and contiune to do so are rewarded time and time again.
No child left behind.
why can't they just keep eating the lead paint in their rental shacks?
1,000 points of light
11:28...because of people like 10:58
Three kids in schools getting free breakfast and lunch equals 15 breakfasts and 15 lunches the parent on food stamps isn't providing every week school is in session. Why not deduct those meals from food stamp allotments? How can it be reasonable to expect taxpayers to pay twice? Even endless free stuff shouldn't have to be doubly free.
I feel sorry for the kids ... They suffer for the poor, mooching, not wanting to work, decisions of their POS parents. They are being encouraged to emulate them by the government. Those kids will say "we grew up well off - we received govt assistance."
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