Milwaukee City Wire

Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) is observing National School Lunch Week, which runs through October 18. This week-long event highlights the importance of nutritious school lunches and acknowledges the National School Lunch Program's role in providing meals to students who might not have regular access to food.

School cafeterias nationwide are adopting a pirate theme, complete with special menus and events. Younger students receive treasure maps and coloring pages as part of the celebration. The tradition began in 1962 under President John F. Kennedy, while the program itself was initiated in 1946 to support children from low-income families.

In Wisconsin, over 800,000 children benefit from this program. Across the United States, it serves about 30 million children, helping them concentrate on their education without worrying about their next meal.

At MPS, all students receive free breakfasts and lunches due to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Community Eligibility Provision. The USDA reimburses the district for meals that comply with strict nutrition guidelines.

During the 2023-24 school year, MPS's Department of Nutrition Services served approximately 7.4 million lunches, 4.9 million breakfasts, 259,000 after-school snacks, and 290,000 dinners.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jill Underly issued a proclamation for National School Lunch Week stating that the program ensures children “are nourished so they are ready to have equitable, transformative, and sustainable educational experiences.”

The School Nutrition Association remarked that the program “closes the opportunity gap for children across the country” and also benefits American farmers.