District 211 serving more free and discounted meals

Workers inside the cafeterias in Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 see the effects of the economy first hand.

District 211 is serving more discounted or free breakfasts and lunches than ever before, District 211 Director of Food Services Lauren Hummel said. The district serves about 9,000 meals each day. Of that number, 3,450 are reimbursable lunches.

Part of the increase could be attributed to changes making it easier for students to take advantage of the benefits. Hummel told the school board this week she's pleased more students who might not be eating are dining at the cafeterias, saying they need the proper energy to better absorb what they learn in class.

Household income is one of the factors that determines eligibility. A family of four earning less than $28,665 a year qualifies with $22,050 as the poverty line for that household.

The government reimburses the district for discounted and free meals, which cost $1.95 to $2.25 to produce. Eligible students are given a card to swipe in the cafeteria, and since all the kids use cards, no one can tell who receives meal benefits and who doesn't.

Board member Debra Strauss said that kind of privacy encourages students to use the benefits.

"It's fabulous that they go through a line and no one knows," she said.

School meals also can expose students to different foods than what they eat at home. Hummel related a story about one Schaumburg High School student who asked a food worker about a strange new fruit served at the cafeteria. It was a strawberry.

"It really made me realize that some of the things most of us may have in our fridge right now (could be) things some of our students have never been introduced to," Hummel said. "I think that just reassured us what the food service department's role is in our educational environment."

In a world where restaurants often push giant-sized portions as the norm, a school meal is sometimes the only place a student sees what a regular-sized portion looks like, Hummel said.

The schools follow nutrient requirements established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

There's also a new focus on providing vegetarian-friendly meals and food every student can enjoy, no matter their religious or cultural background, Hummel added.

This year the government is making it easier for students to qualify for the meal, as they're giving school districts direct access to data which shows what students are eligible for the benefits.

District 211 has a $5.4 million food budget for its five schools. The money pays for food, equipment and staffing.

The government's formula to determine the poverty level and if a family is eligible is revised every year, taking into account variables such as the cost of living.

This year's revisions show fewer families eligible for the meal benefits this year, Hummel said.

However, government officials don't want to reduce the benefits, as the job market hasn't fully rebounded. That's why they're having District 211 and other schools use last year's formula and eligibility requirements.

That, and the better access to information, have caused the number of eligible students in District 211 has doubled from 400 last year to 800 this year.

Board member Lynn Davis complimented Hummel on how smoothly the cafeterias served students and the workers' positive attitudes.

"With this presentation I have a whole new respect for what you guys do," she told Hummel.