Lunch money blues

Not only are food costs going up, but more kids are qualifying for Free and Reduced Lunch just when the state funds for it are drying up.

$700B for the likes of AIG, but hungry kids get none of that...

More funds urged for California's school meal program:

The poor economy is hitting the bellies of 3.1 million California school children.

State Superintendent of Public Schools Jack O'Connell warned Tuesday that, because of increased demand, state funding for the Free and Reduced-Price Meal program could run dry before the end of the school year. He urged lawmakers to increase state funding for the hot meal service by $31 million.

Schools statewide served 28 million more meals in 2007-08 than the year before, a record 770.6 million, and a 4.5 percent increase.

Nearly 51 percent of California's public school children are enrolled in the free or reduced-price program – some 3.1 million students.

The program, which provides breakfast, lunch and afternoon snacks to low-income children, is primarily funded with federal dollars; however, the state kicks in a significant portion as well.