Lunchtime Supports Learning:

Students Need Time to Eat

Support the campaign to give California kids time to eat lunch at school!

Did you know that the majority of kids in California public schools don't have the time they need to eat school lunch? You can help support the work of California Food Policy Advocates to pass a state policy that would ensure that all students have at least 20 minutes to site down and eat school lunch.

Learn more about California Food Policy Advocates campaign to support AB 292, state legislation that would ensure students get at least the recommended minimum time they need to eat: http://cfpa.net/ab292

Children need to eat during the school day. State labor law ensures a minimum 30-minute, uninterrupted meal break for employees, yet schoolchildren have no similar guarantee. California should ensure that its hard-working students are given the time they need to eat during the school day.

Students need time to eat a complete, nutritious lunch. Many California students miss out on school lunch due to time pressures, such as long lines and wait times, insufficient points of service, and scheduling constraints. A 2013 survey found that only 28% of California elementary schools and 45% of secondary schools give all students at least 20 minutes to eat.

Hungry students have a hard time focusing at school. Nutrition plays a critical role in academic achievement and student behavior. Research definitively links nutrition with student performance. When students don’t have time to eat a full lunch, their ability to learn and achieve is compromised.

Valuable resources are wasted when students don’t have time to eat. California has made great strides in improving the nutrition of school food. School districts work hard to make meals more healthful and appealing to students. When lunch is cut short, that progress gets thrown in the trash.