Originally published January 16 2006
New England schools begin pilot breakfast program that focuses on nutrition
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Interim Superintendent Maureen B. Macera discusses the nutritional benefits posed by the universal breakfast program to students in the New England area.
That meeting followed a School Committee meeting a week ago endorsing city schools begin the program Jan. 3 at Woonsocket Middle School and Bernon Heights Elementary School, the largest of the city's 10 elementary schools.
More than half of those students are eligible for free and reduced cost breakfasts under the federally reimbursed program.
"This will be a good cross section that will be a true picture of how the program works," Interim Superintendent Maureen B. Macera said after yesterday's organizational meeting that focused primarily on the menu and logistics, she said.
Rocco or a representative of Sodexho will give the School Committee a report at the Dec. 21 School Committee meeting, after which the administration will issue letters home to parents and other distributions to publicize the program prior to the holiday break.
Macera, the former deputy superintendent who took over the leadership two months ago when Anthony L. D'Acchioli departed, identified trying to minimize some preparations to reduce costs.
At particular issue is how the offering of universal breakfast for everyone and anyone will alter the free and reduced cost breakfasts now in place through federal funding, Macera and Goodman said.
The federal government's reimbursement is $1.51 for any child eligible for free breakfasts and $1.21 for those eligible for reduced-price breakfasts.
During the first two months of the school year, if the universal breakfast program had been applied to the students participating in the program, Goodman said, it would have cost the district an estimated $7,305.
A breakdown at the two pilot schools shows that of Bernon Heights' nearly 400 pupils, in November 154 were eligible for free breakfasts, 47 for reduced and 184 were on paid status.
Goodman, the business manager for the past seven years, said the stress should not be solely on costs but upon overall benefits.
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