School lunches are in the news right now but not because school is starting the fall semester in many places. No, we’re talking about them because Tim Walz, former governor of Minnesota and Vice Presidential candidate on the Democratic ticket, made it possible for all school children in his state to get free school lunches.

Now, to me this sounds like good sense because hungry children don’t learn very well. It’s hard to focus when your stomach is growling. Hungry kids grow up to be less productive and less healthy adults. And academic performance goes up when we feed American students.

Also, it seems like what governments should be doing to protect and ensure the welfare of their citizens. That’s social justice and it’s a no brainer, right?

Stories from the Cafeteria

In the course of reading these articles, however, I also encountered comments from kids who received a free school lunch when they were young. Some of what I read shocked me—not because the kids needed food but because of the intentional cruelty of the adults charged with giving it to them.

I read first-hand stories about:

• A school lunch lady who took a tray of food from a student and threw the food into the trash because the child wasn’t up to date on his lunch fees. The kid got a cheese sandwich instead.
• An Assistant Vice Principal who handed out lunch vouchers by calling out the kids’ names in public, thus forcing them to admit that they were poor. Some kids went hungry rather than take those vouchers and suffer the subsequent bullying.
• Cafeteria lunch ladies who mocked the students who got vouchers for free lunches. As if those women had higher status and were more worthy because they got a paycheck.
• Students who had to wash dishes or wipe down tables to earn a free lunch—and being ridiculed by the other students for doing so. Making children work for food should be banned in this country.

Why the Cruelty Around School Lunches?

All of which raises the question: “Why would any caring adult behave this way?” I can think of several answers.

• They think giving children free lunches “spoils them.”
  That’s why Waukesha, WI, rejected money from President Biden’s federal free-meal program.
• They see this as an opportunity to teach self-reliance.
  How the children are supposed to learn self-reliance from going hungry, I don’t understand. These folks seem to think children gain a valuable life lesson by forcing them to find food anywhere they can, even a dumpster. They see it as more honest than taking food from a taxpayer-funded program to which their parents probably contributed.
• Giving free food to children offends them.
  Some conservatives believe that some people are poor due to bad life choices, not systemic inequality, illness, addiction, or just plain bad luck. They seem to think they should punish poor people and even their children, for those bad choices. But kids aren’t responsible for their parents’ decision and actions.
• Some people are just mean and cruel and revel in taking their cruelty out on children who can’t defend themselves.
  Any school administrator should understand the power of peer pressure. Forcing kids to admit they are poor and hungry exposes them to bullying and ridicule.

The Financial Objections

• Food should be distributed by need—not given to all children regardless of income.
  This seems logical. But studies have shown that the cost of administering a by-need food distribution program is more expensive than just giving the kids something to eat. Giving free school lunches to everyone also removes the stigma that occurs when poor kids are forced to demonstrate their need.
• It’s a waste of money because the kids will just throw them out.
  Well, some picky and well-fed students might. But for too many children in America school lunches may be the only meal they get in a day. I guarantee you they will not throw them out.

Compare this to France, where school children get free school lunches without comment or objection. They have three courses and teach children the importance of eating good, nutritious food.

Shocked and Revolted

I admit to being shocked by these examples of adults who are either blind to the real impact of their behavior or who revel in it. This lies outside my experience, my religion, and sense of moral rightness. The second point in the Unitarian Covenant is. “Justice equity, and compassion in human relations.” I think feeding children fits right into that.

Fortunately, I live in one of the eight states that offer free school lunches to all public school students, regardless of their family’s income. That’s up from five in 2022. Why aren’t there more?

Courtesy

I will never understand cruelty and sadistic behavior. It revolts me when people take out such tendencies on children. If this disgusts you, too, consider that Page 301 of the Republicans’ Project 2025 calls for slashing school lunch programs. Their goal is equal-opportunity hunger for school children.

Give the Children Free School Lunches

Not all school workers act like this. Some lunch ladies slip food to kids who can’t afford it. Some politicians, like Tim Walz, care about hungry children. Even so, I support taking the power to humiliate children out of the hands of school authorities, from Principals to lunch ladies. Let the children eat without having to pay a price in time, labor, humiliation, and bullying.