Today we're reading (and sharing) a new op-ed from Jason Vincent, a Chicago chef and restaurateur. In his op-ed, just published in Food & Wine, Chef Vincent talks about why making breakfast part of the school day is a big deal for hungry kids:
"In Illinois, where I live, nearly half a million kids struggle with hunger, less than 40 percent of kids eligible for free or reduced-price school meals are eating school breakfast.
"That’s because the traditional way of serving breakfast—in the building, before the school day starts—is ineffective. Families have a tough time getting kids to school before the bell and kids who do make it on time can feel singled out and ashamed for receiving a needed meal.
"There’s a better way. And it’s why I work with Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign. We know that something as simple as making breakfast part of the regular school day can make the difference between kids eating and going hungry."
Chef Jason also touches on some other issues near and dear to our hearts: making sure hungry kids get free meals in the summer when school is closed and protecting SNAP, a program that feeds more kids in need than any other.
