In a recent speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos made a flippant remark regarding “free lunch,” demonstrating a troubling lack of awareness about the realities faced by many students in the American public school system. “I’m Betsy DeVos. You may have heard some of the ‘wonderful’ things the mainstream media has called me lately,” she stated. “I, however, take pride in being called a mother, a grandmother, a life partner, and perhaps the first person to directly tell Bernie Sanders that there’s no such thing as a free lunch.”
Her comment comes at a time when the National School Lunch Act, which provides free and reduced-cost meals to over 31 million children, is under scrutiny from Republicans seeking to tighten eligibility requirements. This program, established in 1946 under President Harry S. Truman, has become essential for many students, as organizations like No Kid Hungry report that around 13 million children in the U.S. grapple with food insecurity. For many of these kids, school lunch is often their only reliable meal of the day.
DeVos’ quip ignited a wave of criticism on Twitter, with users highlighting her disconnection from the struggles of students living in poverty. The USDA reported that the National School Lunch Program cost $11.6 billion in 2012, making up only about 0.03 percent of the federal budget. In comparison, this amount is less than 2 percent of the U.S. military budget, which totals $597 billion. If the goal is to find significant cuts in government spending, targeting free lunches for children in need is not a viable solution.
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In summary, DeVos’ offhand joke about free lunches has sparked significant backlash, emphasizing the disconnect between policymakers and the harsh realities faced by many families. With government programs like the National School Lunch Program under threat, it’s crucial to recognize the essential role they play in combating child hunger in the U.S.