Governor, First Lady, Superintendent Encourage Montana Schools to Take Advantage of Childhood Hunger Resources [AUDIO]

Governor Steve Bullock, First Lady Lisa Bullock, and Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau are encouraging eligible Montana schools to take advantage of a new school meals option called the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). CEP makes it easier for eligible schools to serve universal free meals to all students, decrease childhood hunger, and improve student performance, all while decreasing administrative burdens on the schools.

“If we want to give our kids every opportunity to succeed, then we need to ensure they’re able to focus on their studies, instead of their hunger. “ Governor Bullock said. “How can we expect our kids to concentrate on learning, when they don’t know where their next meal is coming from?”

Just one of many topics covered in my most recent conversation with Governor Steve Bullock

In Montana, one in five children struggles with food insecurity.  Childhood hunger can have dramatic impacts on the health and academic performance of students.  Hungry kids have lower math and reading scores, are more likely to repeat a grade, visit the school nurse more often, are at an increased risk of dropping out of school, and have poor cognitive development.