Since parents sometimes lack the time and financial resources to adequately feed their children, these programs become the only source for obtaining healthy meals and therefore the only way to guarantee correct intellectual and physical development. While this may result in additional costs to taxpayers, the nation's future is priceless in terms of health and academic performance. The stability of the country depends on the individuals who will become the working class of teenagers tomorrow, and providing them with free meals now has the ability to equalize their chances of becoming effective citizens in the future. [832 words] References: Curtin, D. (2014, November 13). Decile financing: pros and cons. Sad science. Retrieved from http://sciblogs.co.nz/thedismalscience/2014/11/13/decile-funding-pros-and-cons/Shuttleworth, K. (2012, August 28). Free food call for low decile schools. The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved from http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10829909Nolan, M. (2012, September 10). Free food in schools: equal opportunities? Sad science. Extracted from