July 6, 2023
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In a significant step forward, Oregon has followed in the footsteps of New Mexico by enacting legislation that prohibits the shaming of students unable to afford school lunch. In a rare alignment with compassion, lawmakers unanimously agreed that punishing hungry children is unacceptable.
The new law mandates that all students in Oregon receive equal meals under the National School Lunch Program, irrespective of their family’s financial situation. This means that children who cannot pay will no longer be served inferior or alternative lunches, nor will they be publicly singled out by school staff. Every child deserves a lunch free of stigma.
Regrettably, lunch shaming is an increasingly common issue across the nation. For instance, a school in Phoenix resorted to branding students with “Lunch Money” when their accounts were low. In another distressing case, a cafeteria worker in Pittsburgh resigned after being instructed to discard a first-grader’s lunch and provide only a cheese sandwich due to insufficient funds in his account.
Such treatment of young children is not only outrageous but also unacceptable. Ensuring that all students are fed should be a fundamental priority in our society. Legislative changes like those in Oregon and New Mexico are desperately needed. At a minimum, state laws should protect students from being embarrassed and marginalized when they lack the means to purchase a meal. There is no valid justification for tossing a hot meal in the trash rather than offering it to a child in need.
It’s unrealistic to expect that all parents will consistently pack lunches for their children, and not every family can afford daily school meals. So, why should innocent kids suffer due to their parents’ circumstances? It’s cruel and constitutes a form of abuse to embarrass children by stamping them or discarding their food.
We hope that more states will take similar action against these harmful practices. California and Texas are currently working on their own anti-shaming legislation. It’s clear that well-nourished children who are free from humiliation in the lunchroom will only lead to positive outcomes.
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In summary, the practice of lunch shaming in schools must be eradicated. Oregon’s proactive measures serve as a model for other states, underscoring the importance of treating all children with dignity and ensuring they receive proper nutrition without stigma.
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