New South Carolina Law Expands Access to School Lunches, Bans Meal-Shaming
COLUMBIA, S.C. — In a significant legislative move, Governor Henry McMaster has signed a new law aimed at improving access to school meals for South Carolina students. The law, which codifies a previous one-year budget proviso, prohibits "meal-shaming," protecting students from punitive actions due to unpaid meal debts.
Meal-shaming often manifests in the denial of regular meals or restrictions from school activities for students with negative meal account balances. This practice has drawn ire from parents like Shelina Flarisee, whose son was denied lunch over a balance issue, leaving him hungry and embarrassed.
The new legislation emphasizes that no child should face punishment for being unable to pay for meals. Meg Stanley, from the advocacy group Wholespire, stressed that denying meals or participation in school events due to financial constraints can have detrimental effects on children’s self-esteem and well-being.
Additionally, the law mandates that schools participate in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) of the federal Free and Reduced School Lunch Program. This program allows schools with over 40% of students qualifying for free lunches to provide all students with free lunches, eliminating the stigma associated with free meal applications.
Experts highlight the importance of this measure, noting that participation can relieve financial burdens on families while ensuring every child is fed during school hours. Flarisee shared her positive experience from a previous school under the CEP, noting it significantly reduced embarrassment and stigma surrounding free lunches.
The law is effective immediately and will remain in place next year, contingent on the federal school lunch program’s continued funding. This legislative change marks a crucial step in addressing food insecurity among students in South Carolina.
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