LUNCH MONEY ©
-WON’T SHORT EDUCATION

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To the Editor; |

- Ym writing in response to comments in Valerie
Preston’s letter to the editor, in your March, 1992
issue. She was not happy with "the setting aside of
educational funds for lunch programs". In these
times. of fiscal constraint, I. applaud Ms. “Preston’s
vigilance in monitoring how her government spends
our tax dollars. However, as the community

nutritionist for Terrace, I feel that some of the issues ©

raised by Ms. Preston require clarification..
Although the funding for the School Food Pro-

‘gram is included in Ministry of Education funding,
‘this is new funding. No current programs or

resources will be cut to provide food for students.

Thus, the concern that education funds will be -

utilized in the provision of lunches is unwarranted.
_ ‘Ms. Preston also. mentions the admirable (and
volunteer-supported) program which currently

_ provides | a hot “June to students of Kiti Shan
.. Primary School. It is the expressed desire of the
| School Food Program to support and extend such

programs as this, through the provision of equipment

_ grants and nutrition consultation. To quote: from the —

program criteria: "Eligible programs, must be a
community driven initiative that involves parents and
children in .all stages of planning, ‘implementation

and evaluation." Programs not meeting. this criteria |

are unlikely to receive. funding.

The program funding is not expected | to coyer ‘all
of the costs anticipated in the operation of a School
Food Program. Parent contributions to program
operations, either monetary or volunteer timie, are an
integral part of this program. Parents who are

~ concerned that their child may be stigmatized if they
_.don’t contribute will be reassured by the program

criteria, which state, “all children in the school must

_be eligible for a meal but not obligated to participate,

and non-paying students must be non-identifiable”.
Lastly, it is important to note that the School

Food Program i is targeted | to schools where needs are

Terrace Review — April 8, 1992 . 17