The ailing economy is hitting some families hard. In Austin, more school age children are turning to schools for food.

When Corrine Greene was a child, her family struggled to make ends meet.

“I actually did free lunch for about five or six years -- all of elementary,” Greene said.

Without the free food, her lunch wouldn't have been nearly as balanced.

“I probably would have had to eat tortillas and butter everyday! Because flour is cheap and it's cheap to make that and beans. So it was very important,” said Greene.

It's also important to the children of Austin. The summer free lunch program has grown dramatically this year.

“Children in the summertime don't access to proper nutrition because budgets are so stretched with the ever increasing cost of food and fuel,” said Chris Carrillo, food services director for AISD.

The program runs from June through August. In 2007, the district served almost 215,000 meals. Halfway through 2008, the district has already surpassed that number at nearly 219,000 meals.

School officials say in part it is the ailing economy that is driving so many more school age children to these cafeterias for lunch.

“The city program cut back on their program, so we picked up some boys and girls clubs and that sort of thing,” said Carrillo.

Some 30 schools in Austin serve free breakfast and lunch through the federally funded program. Teachers say it makes a world of difference for these kids.

“It's a terrible problem; yeah, it really interferes with their learning. If you think about yourself, how well do you do without breakfast and lunch?” said Amanda Guyler.

Many parents, even with kids who don't use the program, fully support it.

“I think it's 100 percent important, simply because I have the experience,” said Greene.