Evening star., 1946-10-25
Schools Urged
To Take Part in
Lunch Program
High School Principals
Told to Use Cafeteria
Funds When Possible

District high school principals
have been urged by one school ON
cial to take part in the national
school lunch program Or provide
pupils with the same benefits out OF
their school cafeteria funds, it was
learned today.
Norman j. Nelson, associate SUI
perintendent in charge of the
high schools, said that every in
centive was being given the prln-
cipals to obtain their share OF the
Districts S209,3 1894 allotment under
the program operated by the Agri-
culture Department. He said Mrs.
Ola Rush, head of the Home Eco
Monies Department, had offered to
instruct cafeteria managers on how
to prepare meals which will meet
Government specifications.
Warns of Restricted Funds.
Mr.. Nelson added, however, that
in his opinion, schools which can
afford to give the same benefits
offered under the school lunch pro-
gram should do so themselves. He
explained that, if all eligible schools
take part in the program, the Dis
trict's share of the Federal money
would be stretched too far.
Savings to all pupils ranging from
2 to 9 cents are possible under the
program, while the needy may be
fed free. Schools are reimbursed
each month by the Government.
However, should the demand be too
great, the amounts deductible would
have to be prorated downward to
make the allotment last year, Mr..
Nelson said.
The way for District schools to
benefit from the subsidy was cleared
last month when the Board OF Edu-
cation and the Commissioners con-
tracted with the Agriculture De-
partment for a share in the pro-
gram.
The final decision on whether to
sign up, however, was left to the
individual principals. Reluctance of
many to get in on the Federal grant,
plus administrative delays, has SO
far kept the pupils from enjoying
the reduced prices.
Contracts Not Yet Drawn.
The job of drawing up individual
contracts for the schools to submit
to the Agriculture Department was
turned over to the corporation
counsel,s Office. They are not yet
available.
The unwillingness on the part of
certain school heads to 60 into the
program, according to top officials,
is traceable, in most cases, to
question of ability to pay. 1t is said
principals in the Wealthier COM
munities feel students whose parents
are able to pay current prices should
not benefit to the same degree as
needy pupils
Ins any case, School Supt. Hobart
M. Corning has called several con-
ferences to establish a uniform pol
icy. It has been pointed out to the
principals that, since the act max
ing the money available sets no
economic standards, there is no rea-
son why they should be concerned
beyond seeing that all children are
well fed
Three Types of Lunch.
Any school may benefit under the
program. The rate of Federal re-
endorsement depends on the type
of lunch served The Agriculture
Department specifications call for
any of three types of lunch.
Type A consists of half pint Of
milk, 2 ounces of lean meat, poultry,
fish or cheese or one egg, or half
cup of dry beans or peas or four
tablespoons of peanut butter, three
fourths cup of vegetables or fruit or
both, one or more portions of bread
or mullins or other hot bread made
of whole-grain cereal or enriched
-four and two teaspoons OF butter
or fortified margerine.
Schools with limited lunchroom
facilities may contract to serve a
type B lunch, providing about two
thirds as much food as type A. The
type B lunch should be supple
mented by food brought from home.
Schools with no lunchroom may
contract for a type C lunch, con-
sisting only of a half pint of milk.
Whatever is served, it must be
given to all pupils, regardless OF
obiIity to now