By Brenda Flanagan
Correspondent

Most New Jersey schools offer subsidized lunch — some serve breakfast — but Camden’s state-run school district launched a pilot after-school dinner program in January. Today’s menu — chicken with vegetables and a bread stick.

“My favorite food is still spaghetti but I don’t get to eat much of it like I used to,” said Gov. Chris Christie.

Christie chatted with kids at Dudley Elementary, one of five Camden elementary schools that prepare federally subsidized dinners for 75 to 100 kids per day. About 100 Camden high schoolers also eat dinner at school.

“We know that studies have shown missing a meal or experiencing hunger can really greatly impact students academic performance and behavior in school as well and afterschool, from lower test scores and repeating grade levels to tardiness, increased absences, contribute to acting out,” Christie said.

When kids get three squares a day, teachers calculate it adds up to positive performance. More than 360,000 New Jersey school children qualified for free lunches last year — 15,000 of them in poverty-stricken Camden. That’s 95 percent of the student population here.

“Children used to come in my office and say, ‘Dr. Perez, I’m so hungry!’ I could be sitting there having lunch and they would say what’s that? Would you like some? That’s what they wait for,” said Guidance Counselor Phyllis Perez.

In his State of the State speech, Christie praised the superintendent he’s charged with rehabilitating Camden’s struggling school system.

“When our students are eating healthy meals, leading healthy lives and they perform better in the classroom,” said Superintendent Paymon Rouhanifard.

“One of kids asked, ‘Why did you take it over the Camden schools? I said we really didn’t take it over. We came in partnership with folks and the great thing about what’s happening here in Camden is that we are working together,” Christie said.

“Does it make a difference? For them it does. Cause I find that when they’re hungry they can’t concentrate. When they eat more they work more and participate more and they produce more,” said Fifth Grade Teacher Carmen Encarnacion.

Teachers say kids here have a long day and a lot to learn. They say kids can digest information a lot better on a full stomach.