Free Lunches for all for 2026-2027 SY

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Two kids: one taker, one buyer


Wonder what proportion of kids bring lunch--and is it due to cost or taste?

That would be good to know. I see an awful lot of waste if they do this. There is already far more waste than most people realize.

It's taste. The lunches are gross. Parents packs lunches for kids so they get something edible and nutritious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid never eats the school lunch, so I'll be paying more in taxes to support this foolishness.

Correct.
Just like people that take public transportation pay for roads.
People that never go to libraries contribute to that
You fund the fire department even if your house is never on fire.

These fools, man.

But FREE. Free lunches, free buses, let's make everything free.

[Anonymous]

The free covid lunches were soooooo terrible

[Anonymous]

I do think the quality of the lunches has gone up quite a bit. Especially in high schools. I know that the students designated FRL will be getting their lunches. I’m skeptical of free lunch and breakfast for all because I do think a lot of food will be wasted. In addition during Covid. I know that many people who were quite affluent always went to pick up the free food - why I have no idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The free covid lunches were soooooo terrible

It was literally the same food.

[Anonymous]

People that take public transportation like Metro get HUGE subsidies from taxpayers. I am not talking about the transit subsidies as part of benefits, senior fares, etc. I am talking about actual cost of a ride compared to what's paid. It's on the order of $8 a ride over the fare for Metro. Fares cover just 22% of operating costs for Metro [Metro proposed budget 2026]. Then of course we pretend capital costs are paid by the tooth fairy.
That's part of why "Free bus rides" are easy to promise. That fare is just a drop in the money pit.

[Anonymous]

Free lunch should be available to all who qualify. But, even there, there is a whole lot of waste.

Not every child who gets free lunch is hungry. But, we should provide it.

[Anonymous]

There is no free lunch. There is taxpayer provided lunch for all students, regardless of need in this scenario.

So FCPS spending more of other people’s money in an irresponsible and frivolous manner.

[Anonymous]

I don't think that this is a serious suggestion. Pretty sure the taxpayers pay for the current free lunch via the federal government.

I taught Title I. Almost all my students qualified for free lunch and it was a pain to sort it out with the numbers. (The cafeteria lady would come by the classroom daily to get the count of free lunch, reduced price, paying, and those only purchasing milk.) She tried various measures--colored tickets, that kind of thing.
Finally, she hit on just coming by and getting the "count" and trusting that it was correct.

I can see in a school like that to give everyone free lunch because there were so few paying.

Otherwise, no. Why should a school with only 10% FARMS give free lunch to all? Spend the money on teaching.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think that this is a serious suggestion. Pretty sure the taxpayers pay for the current free lunch via the federal government.

I taught Title I. Almost all my students qualified for free lunch and it was a pain to sort it out with the numbers. (The cafeteria lady would come by the classroom daily to get the count of free lunch, reduced price, paying, and those only purchasing milk.) She tried various measures--colored tickets, that kind of thing.
Finally, she hit on just coming by and getting the "count" and trusting that it was correct.

I can see in a school like that to give everyone free lunch because there were so few paying.

Otherwise, no. Why should a school with only 10% FARMS give free lunch to all? Spend the money on teaching.

What do you mean "spend the money on teaching"?

[Anonymous]

Many schools already have free breakfast and lunch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is no free lunch. There is taxpayer provided lunch for all students, regardless of need in this scenario.

So FCPS spending more of other people’s money in an irresponsible and frivolous manner.

+1

Taxpayers already cover lunch for the poor. This additional expense is not needed

[Anonymous]

Imagine how much money we would save if parents taught kids to count and read. Then we could shorten the school year, pay teachers less, save paper, save energy. Free lunches are for losers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Imagine how much money we would save if parents taught kids to count and read. Then we could shorten the school year, pay teachers less, save paper, save energy. Free lunches are for losers.

Yep. Also, I don't want to pay for school for anybody making over 75k. They can afford to pay for it.

[Anonymous]

The kids hate the disgusting lunches. A complete waste of money.