AUSTIN -- For some Austin children, the breakfast and lunch they get in school is the only nutritious food they'll have all day. Austin ISD is making sure students get the fuel they need to perform in and out of the classroom by serving three meals a day.
At Reagan High school, the motto "Not without honor" extends to the rich history of its athletics department.
"After school most people just go home but we have to put in the work so we can compete in our sports," said wrestler Everardo Jaimes.
This year, Reagan's athletes have a new weapon in their arsenal. At the end of practice, the athletes check in and get a nutritious meal.
"The meal it really like, makes you grateful," Jaimes said. "There's also some other players that I know that would go home and they wouldn't have a meal."
Schools have always been able to provide snacks to students in after-school activities. Now campuses can enroll in the Afterschool Meal Program to provide full meals to each student.
This year, AISD decided to expand the dinner program to athletes, feeding them after every practice.
"To be next level, you have to have next-level nutrition." said Reagan coach Nik Lebo. "Other schools where the student are fed three meals a day, it's a competitive advantage."
Providing an after-school meal is part of the district's effort to level the playing field, especially inside the classroom.
"These after school meals really help out students excel and do well both in academics and athletics," said AISD Food and Nutrition Director Anneliese Tanner.
Sixty-five campuses are now serving students three meals a day. While middle and high schoolers get a cold after school meal, the district serves a hot meal in elementary schools.
"We currently serve about 4,000 after school meals in the district," Tanner said.
The meals are free for students taking part in after-school activities, and the district is reimbursed by the federal government for each meal served.
Austin ISD just added after-school meals at Casey and Reilly elementary schools this week. Martin, Dobie and Paredes Middle Schools will start serving the meals later this month.
