Why Can't the US Provide Free School Lunches Like Puerto Rico?

The Importance of Free School Lunches for Students

In Puerto Rico, breakfast and lunch are provided free of charge to all students, despite the territory's financial struggles and corruption issues. This raises the question of why the mainland US, with better resources and financial skills, is unable to do the same.

School lunches were initially introduced during World War II to address the issue of malnourished children who grew up during the Great Depression. Today, healthy meal habits are seen as a national security issue due to the impact on the physical fitness and readiness of potential military recruits.

Providing free school lunches can be a smart investment due to the scale of the program. As a society, we have the financial means to ensure that no child goes hungry during school hours.

Hunger negatively affects learning, and basic literacy and math skills are essential for a productive workforce. By providing free school lunches, we can contribute to the development of a skilled and educated workforce, which in turn drives economic growth.

The youngest individuals with the greatest potential, such as school children, should receive free food just like those in prisons. This highlights the importance of ensuring that children and teens in education do not have to worry about their basic needs being met.

Furthermore, nutrition during childhood is linked to brain development and intelligence. By providing free school lunches, we can contribute to the development of smarter individuals and a more intellectually capable society.

It is mo***** wrong to deny children access to food based on their parents' financial situation. As the wealthiest country in the world, any child going hungry in America should be a mark of shame for all of us.

Even individuals without children of their own recognize the importance of investing in education and ensuring that children receive a good education. This is because these children will grow up to be the future adults and leaders of society, and it is preferable to have an educated population.

The US should take inspiration from Puerto Rico and prioritize the provision of free school lunches. By doing so, we can address issues of hunger, improve educational outcomes, and invest in the future of our nation. It is time for the US to step up and ensure that no child goes hungry during their school day.