USDA allows school districts to resume serving free grab-and-go meals through 2020

After pressure from lawmakers and districts, the US Department of Agriculture announced Monday that it is extending the federal waivers that allow schools to offer free grab-and-go meals to any student, regardless of eligibility.

The waivers — including the “Seamless Summer Option” and the “Summer Food Service Program” — have made it possible for California districts to distribute millions of grab-and-go meals to students since campuses closed due to Covid-19.

Without the waivers, the USDA would reimburse districts for meals distributed only to qualified low-income students who were enrolled with the district. As a result, many districts changed their meal distribution plans from those of the summer: Many districts started the 2020-2021 school year charging students for meals and denying grab-and-go meals to students who weren’t enrolled in the district.

https://edsource.org/2020/usda-allows-school-districts-to-resume-serving-free-grab-and-go-meals-through-2020/639431