DUVAL COUNTY, Fla. — Parents can count on their children receiving two healthy meals a day during the toughest times with children going back to school.
According to recent census data, more than 17 percent of Jacksonville lives below the poverty line. In Duval County, more students are relying on free and reduced-price lunches.
A single mother of two boys who attends Southside Estates Elementary School said you can't put a price on her kids receiving two healthy meals a day.
“It's one less thing I have to worry about," said Nekia Jackson. "I know my children will be fed at school and it's not like if I don't have lunch money that day my kids won't eat.”
Jackson said it’s enough work just getting her boys out of the house, and harder still to support herself and the two children all alone.
Jackson's sons are entering fourth- and third-grade at Southside Estates Elementary.
"It's about an hour just to get all of that together," said Jackson. “What are we living off of? The grace of God.”
The school is known as a CEP site, which stands for Community Eligible Provision. The school primarily serves low-income families, so every student here automatically gets free breakfast and lunch.
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Since the 2010-2011 school year, enrollment in Duval County schools has risen by more than 4,000 students. The number of students receiving free and reduced lunches has gone up by nearly 18,000 students, an increase of nearly 21 percent, during that same time.
Action News Jax asked the school district if increasing demand has made it tough to provide cost-effective, healthy meals. Action News Jax was told the U.S. Department of Agriculture has helped fill the gap by producing an extra 15 to 20 percent of food per year.
Jackson said full stomachs mean that her boys can focus on their studies, giving her a little peace of mind.
“These (children) are my only two," said Jackson. "These are my best friends.”
Jackson currently works as a chiropractic assistant and plans go back to school to study radiation therapy. So the immediate future may be hectic and stressful for this family, but says it will all be worthwhile.
Number of students on free, reduced lunch programs:
- 2010 – 2011: 65,573 with total enrollment at 123,979
- 2011 – 2012: 65,375 with total enrollment at 125,429
- 2012 – 2013: 67,505 with total enrollment at 125,689
- 2013 – 2014: 75,580 with total enrollment at 127,662
- 2014 – 2015: 82,192 with total enrollment at 128,699
- 2015 – 2016: 83,438 (projected)
Cox Media Group
