School breakfast is a boon

For reasons that, frankly, don't make a lot of sense to us, Utah policymakers have issues with school breakfast programs. They consistently leave money for this program — which is largely funded by the federal government — on the the table.

Breakfast, they will argue, is a family responsibility. In a well-functioning family, it's reasonable to expect that children will be fed. But what if your parent or parents aren't home at breakfast time? What if you have no food in your home? What if your parent is ill, a substance abuser or mentally ill and doesn't have the wherewithal to care properly for you and your siblings?

Should a child have to suffer on that account? Should that child's teachers and students have to cope with a child who may be disruptive or inattentive because his or her stomach is rumbling for nutrition? How is feeding students breakfast that much different than providing school lunch for a low fee, reduced rate or even free, depending upon one's income?

Hunger isn't a partisan issue. In fact, former Sens. Bob Dole, R-Kan. and George McGovern, D-S.D., are part of a national initiative to increase the number of children who eat school breakfast. According to the "got breakfast?" campaign, only 9 million of 29 million eligible children eat school breakfast. Dole and McGovern aim to change that.

Many Utah school districts have sent letters to parents to inform them about school breakfast programs. Salt Lake City School District offers free breakfasts for those who qualify for reduced-price meals, and 13 schools in Davis District offer free breakfast for everyone.

The program reaches only two in five children eligible for free lunch, according to the Food Research and Action Center.

Some school administrators say school busing schedules preclude schools from offering school breakfast. There can be staffing issues. But knowing that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, one would think that school administrators would exercise greater creativity in ensuring students are fed and prepared to learn. School nutrition, after all, is an educational issue.