More Than a Snack for Lunch

The national school-lunch program feeds about 24 million children a day, and most elementary and high schools participate. But, as Times writer Maria La Ganga has reported, the loss of surplus dairy products and proposed budget cuts now threaten the nutrition of American children.

Butter, cheese and milk were plentiful during the last decade because dairy subsidies resulted in huge government stockpiles. The federal government gave the surpluses away as a temporary windfall, and schools got used to the free products. The loss--more than $300 million a year--has forced many districts to buy dairy items, raising cafeteria prices as a result.

But when prices go up, participation goes down. So instead of buying a balanced meal in the school cafeteria, youngsters may buy a candy bar or a soda. Those who pack their own lunches may bring potato chips or pudding--but no sandwich, according to a dietitian who reguarly walks through the dining room. And an increasing number of children simply do without lunch.

Budget cuts, proposed by President Bush last week, would fall hardest on children from middle-and working-class families. They would no longer qualify for lunches at a reduced cost if Congress approves Bush’s request to trim $181 million from the program’s budget.

The school lunches can be salvaged without resorting to additional farm subsidies. Congress should identify more bonus commodities for schools and provide adequate funding. The national school-lunch program began nearly 45 years ago, after the Army was forced to reject one-third of all World War II draftees because of anemia and malnutrition. The program was established in the interest of national security. Well-nourished children are still in the nation’s best interest.