Marrero Rep. Kyle Green (D)
Louisiana students who received reduced-price lunches and breakfast will be able to get those meals at no cost now thanks to Marrero Representative Kyle Green’s legislation. Green says because Louisiana is such an impoverished state there’s a great need to also provide meals to these 7,000 students.
“Any relief that we can give to parents and children assuring that they get breakfast and lunch while they’re at school is a big help to ensuring the success of students in the classroom,” said Green.
Providing additional free meals will cost the state about $859,000. Green says it’s an investment in the education of students because you can’t learn on an empty stomach. He says another benefit of the bill is to end the practice of lunch shaming in schools.
“Which can happen when students don’t have the ability to pay for their lunch and as a result of that they’re having to get basically snacks as opposed to a meal of substance,” said Green.
Green, who’s running for re-election, says this is just the beginning. He plans to introduce legislation in the future to expand the program to include all students.
“It’s going to cost the state, based on last year’s numbers, about $40 million a year, but I think it’s money that’s well spent,” said Green.
Green credits the Louisiana Budget Project for helping him get the legislation across the finish line this legislative session.
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