CROWLEY, La (KLFY) – More than 150 schools across Louisiana could be at risk if a bill limiting school meal programs is approved by congress.
On Wednesday afternoon, the bill passed through a committee and is now expected to move to the full house for a vote.
The legislation would affect nearly 7,000 schools nationally, and right here at home all 9 parishes across Acadiana, one being Acadia Parish.
“It would actually throw out the federal food nutrition program as we know it and would go towards funding for the states,” said Adrianne Vidrine, Child Nutrition Supervisor for Acadia Parish Schools.
According to Vidrine, that in return would affect the Community Elgibility Program, a program that provides free meals to students that attend schools in high poverty areas. She says the program has only been in place in the parish for 2 years.
“About 78% of our students receive free breakfast and lunch due to that program, and that program would not be apart of this new funding,” said Vidrine.
Vidrine says overtime all students would be affected by the school meal limitations, but mainly those on free or reduced lunch.
She says this would cause a setback for all the good work that has been done for the school meals program over the last few years.
“It would take away much needed funding we’re currently getting and put a much bigger strain on families, on the state, and on the local school district,” said Vidrine.
Vidrine’s hope is that the bill doesn’t pass.
“It is a cause for concern and we really need to watch closely what happens with the bill, but our hope is that they realize before the vote takes place that this is not the way to go,” said Vidrine.
Several other parishes across Acadiana would face the discussed cuts to school meal programs. Here’s a list of schools by parishes:Acadia Parish
- Armstrong Middle
- Central Rayne Kindergarten
- Church Point Elementary
- Church Point High
- Church Point Middle
- Crowley High
- Crowley Middle
- Crowley Kindergarten
- North Crowley Elementary
- Estherwood Elementary
- Iota Elementary
- Mermentau Elementary
- Mire Elementary
- Morse Elementary
- Martin Petitjean Elementary
- Rayne High
- Ross Elementary
- South Crowley Elementary
- South Rayne Elementary
Evangeline Parish
- Chataignier Elementary
- Mamou Elementary
- Mamou High
- W.W. Stewart Elementary
- Vidrine Elementary
- Ville Platte High
- Ville Platte Elementary
- Evangeline Central
- James Stephens Montessori
Iberia Parish
- Anderson Middle
- Center Street Elementary
- Coteau Elementary
- Delcambre High
- Dodson Street Elementary
- Hopkins Street Elementary
- Jeanerette Elementary
- Jeanerette Senior High
- Loreauville Elementary
- Loreauville High
- Westgate High
- New Iberia Senior High
- North Lewis Elementary
- North Street Elementary
- Park Elementary
- Pesson Addition Elementary
- Delcambre Elementary
- St. Charles Street Elementary
- Daspit Road Elementary
- Sugarland Elementary
- Belle Place Middle
- Alternative Center for Education
- Iberia Middle
- Jefferson Island Road Elementary
- Magnolia Elementary
- Caneview Elementary
Jefferson Davis Parish
- Ward Elementary
- Jennings Elementary
- Lake Arthur Elementary
- Welsh Elementary
- Fenton Elementary
Lafayette Parish
- Acadiana Renaissance Charter
- Lafayette Renaissance Charter
- Holy Family Catholic
- Myrtle Place Elementary
- Judice Middle
- Carencro High
- Ridge Elementary
St. Landry Parish
- Cankton Elementary
- Opelousas Senior High
- Grand Prairie Elementary
- Glendale Elementary
- Eunice Elementary
- Lawtell Elementary
- East Elementary
- Sunset Elementary
- Eunice Junior High
- Port Barre Middle
- Leonville Elementary
- Plaisance Elementary
- Krotz Springs Elementary
St. Martin Parish
- Teche Elementary
St. Mary Parish
- B. Edward Boudreaux Middle
- Franklin Senior High
- Hattie A. Watts Elementary
- West St. Mary High
- Patterson Junior High
- Morgan City Junior High
- M.E. Norman Elementary
Vermilion Parish
- Kaplan Elementary
- Jesse Owens Elementary
- Seventh Ward Elementary
- Eaton Park Elementary
- James A. Herod Elementary
- Abbeville High
- Leblanc Elementary
