More Long Beach students eligible for free meals under new state system

Almost 1,700 more Long Beach Unified students qualified to automatically receive free meals this year thanks to a new streamlined approach that more efficiently identifies them, according to new data.

Previously, a family applied for free meals by submitting an application to a school, which then processed it for eligibility, which is based on several factors including family income.

Streamlined approach

But under a new system started in July, a state data system sends schools a list of their students who also are enrolled in various public assistance programs. Families are then sent a letter notifying them about the eligibility.

“The students who are automatically eligible for free meals are some of the most vulnerable,” said LBUSD spokesman Chris Eftychiou. “Removing the hurdle of filling out an uecessary application helps to make sure these children receive nutritious meals. It’s hard to focus in class when you’re hungry, so these meals are key to helping kids succeed in school.”

LBUSD numbers

As of December, 27,464 students were automatically eligible for free meals out of the district’s total enrollment of 78,748, roughly 35 percent of students in the district, according to Long Beach Unified. That is an increase of 1,702 from the prior year.

In 2014-2015, 25,762 students were automatically eligible out of an enrollment of 79,939, or about 32 percent, the district reported.

Through other public assistance programs, another 31 percent of the district students qualify for reduced meals, Eftychiou said. In all, 66 percent of LBUSD students qualify for some type of nutrition assistance.

At Downey Unified, almost 600 additional students were automatically eligible for meals, 11,317 in Jan. 2015 compared to 11,913 last month, said spokeswoman Ashley Greaney.

“When kids are fed, their brains are ready to lea,” she said.

State numbers

Statewide, schools saw a 32 percent increase, or 326,029 additional students, who were automatically approved for free school meals, according to state data from December, the last month data is available. That increase brings the total number of automatically eligible students in the state to 1.3 million.

Los Angeles County had a 23 percent increase, equal to 86,434 additional students, according to the state data.

Streamlining the program was a collaborative effort between the state departments of Education, Health Care Services and Social Services, state senators Mike McGuire, D-Healdsburg, and Holly Mitchell, D-Los Angeles, and the nonprofit Califoia Food Policy Advocates.

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“We know there are millions of kids in Califoia who are eligible for free meals,” Tia Shimada, program director with the Califoia Food Policy Advocates. “The new eligibility means more kids will have the nutrition they need and their basic needs met, while helping prevent chronic hunger and obesity.”

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