USDA extends free school meals through June 2022
Source: Boston Globe
A federal program that has provided free school meals for millions of food-insecure children during the pandemic has been extended through the end of the 2021-22 academic year, the US Department of Agriculture announced Tuesday.
The waivers, which are now set to expire June 30, 2022, have made it possible for schools to provide free meals to students with social distancing considerations in place. This includes providing breakfast, lunch, and after-school snacks “in non-group settings at flexible meal times,” the USDA wrote in a statement.
Schools will also receive higher-than-normal reimbursements for the meals they serve to “support them in serving the most nutritious meals possible while managing increased costs associated with pandemic-related operational and supply chain challenges,” the department wrote.
“USDA will remain relentless in ensuring our nation’s children get the critical nutrition they need,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in the USDA statement. “States and districts wanted waivers extended to plan for safe reopening in the fall. USDA answered the call to help America’s schools and childcare institutions serve high quality meals while being responsive to their local needs as children safely return to their regular routines. This action also increases the reimbursement rate to school meal operators so they can serve healthy foods to our kids. It’s a win-win for kids, parents and schools.”
Read more: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/04/21/metro/usda-extends-free-school-meals-through-june-2022/
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