Free meals for Washington students in need will continue through end of 2020
Washington’s public schools will be able to keep offering free breakfast and lunch to students in need through the end of the year, the Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction announced Monday.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture extended waivers to its school lunch program that allow school districts to serve nutritious meals to students impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The meals will be free through the end of the year for children and youth up to age 18.
“Schools can continue using the processes they developed last spring, which resulted in more than 28 million meals being served to students who were learning at a distance,” state Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal said in a statement.
“For schools that are providing distance learning this fall, these processes can include grab-and-go meals or meal delivery to homes. I encourage school districts to deploy additional transportation and food services staff to do this work.”
Washington Education Association President Larry Delaney said in a statement: “USDA’s extension of higher reimbursement rates for student meals means that students will receive the nutrition they need to help them focus on their school work, at least through the end of 2020.
“When combined with Gov. Jay Inslee’s proclamation last week to ensure that funding is in place for school bus drivers to deliver meals to students at home, this action provides critical supports for students, especially those who are from low-income families, are English learners or those who face food insecurity.”
