[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 61 (Monday, April 3, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E755]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

                             [[Page E755]]

 UPPER DARBY SCHOOL DISTRICT FEEDS EVERY CHILD WITHOUT FEDERAL DOLLARS

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                            HON. CURT WELDON

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 3, 1995
  Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, during the debate occurring 
on March 24, 1995, on the Personal Responsibility Act, one of my 
colleagues across the aisle made serious misstatements about a school 
district in my district. I want to set the record straight.
  Reference was made by my colleague to this school district opting out 
of the Federal School Lunch Program. It was implied that this school 
district deals with its poorer children who need a lunch by feeding 
them scraps and leftovers.
  Mr. Speaker, this is simply not true. The district my colleague 
referred to is the Upper Darby School District, which I represent. The 
Upper Darby district opted out of the Federal School Lunch Program 13 
years ago. The district's decision was made then, as it is made now, on 
a careful review of the district's demographics and a review of what is 
best for the community.
  Before opting out, Upper Darby was losing $60 to $80 thousand a year 
by participating in the Federal Lunch Program. Federal rules required 
extra people for food preparation and monitoring. Food sent to the 
schools as part of the program was not popular. Kids were paying 20 
cents for a meal that cost a dollar to prepare, taking a couple of 
bits, and dumping most of the food. So the Upper Darby district opted 
out.
  No child goes hungry and no child is fed scraps. The district's goal 
is to have a self-sufficient food service program that serves 
nutritious meals. And that is what Upper Darby has.
  The district has contracted with a private food service management 
company to run its program. The district's menus meet the nutritional 
guidelines set by the Federal Government. The menus encourage healthy 
eating by offering a variety of foods, including salads, yogurt, 
poultry, and other healthful choices. The kids have a choice about what 
to eat and as a result much less food is wasted.
  Upper Darby has never had a problem with kids not getting a meal at 
school. Current program participation in Upper Darby elementary schools 
ranges from 56 to 70 percent. The contractor works with individual 
schools to assist needy children.
  No child goes hungry. No child eats scraps in the Upper Darby 
schools. The program serves nutritious meals that kids will actually 
eat, saves money, and meets the needs of the community.
  Those are the facts, Mr. Speaker.
  

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