More rely on schools for meals

California's public school students relied on 28 million more free or reduced-price meals this school year compared with last, a sign that the economy has made the school cafeteria the de facto kitchen table for kids whose families are struggling. Susan Abram in the Daily News.

The 770.6 million meals served during the 2007-08 school year was a record, and a 4.5 percent jump from the year before. The state commonly experiences a 1 percent increase per year, state Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell said Tuesday.

But the variety provided with these meals, including fruits and vegetables, leans on state money, a sore subject given the fiscal emergency declared by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Monday.