Sunday, October 8 — Tomorrow markis the start of National School Lunch Week — a name that probably conjures up visions of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and other, somewhat mysterious cafeteria substances. But it’s time to note the wholesome lunches being served every day to schoolchildren across the nation, and to thank the many patient people who prepare and serve them. There is a recognized link between having a good meal and the ability of a child to learn. This led to the National School Lunch Act in 1946.
There are now some 59 million children in schools from nursery or kindergarten through high school. Of these, over 30 million receive either free or reduced-cost lunches because of their family income. Nearly 15 million of these children also eat breakfast at school.
You can find more facts about America’s people, places and economy, from the American Community Survey here.
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