Students who are not physically in school can continue to receive free meals through the end of the year thanks to a decision by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Congressman Fred Upton tells WSJM News the USDA back in March issued waivers allowing free meals for kids who were sheltered at home during the pandemic. The waiver allowing those meals was to expire this week, but Upton says Ag Secretary Sunny Perdue has responded to appeals to keep the waiver in place.
“That means our kids are going to get fed, and as I heard from a good number of our school superintendents, they’re really frantic about making sure that this program was continued for our needy kids,” Upton said. “In some of our school districts, as many as 70% of the meals they serve are based on need.”
Upton spoke with Perdue about the issue last week. By extending the waivers, summer meal program operators will be able to continue serving free meals for students and families in need, regardless of whether students are returning for in-person or virtual instruction.
