Louisiana Schools To Report Meal Charges To State DOE

The AP (11/8, DeMarche) reported that a new state law went into effect last week that requires Louisiana schools to report to the state Department of Family and Children Services parents "who can afford to pay for their children's school lunch -- and whose kids go three straight days without paying." Before the requirement went into effect, "students who could afford to buy lunch could be turned away from the lunch line if their parents were delinquent with payments." Now, students will be given at least "graham crackers and 8 ounces of milk" if they "do not qualify for a free lunch," but do not bring lunch money to school. The AP notes that the US Department of Agriculture allows schools to "decide not to provide free meals to children who are financially able to pay for them."