WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced proactive flexibilities to allow meal service during school closures to minimize potential exposure to the coronavirus.
During an unexpected school closure, schools can leverage their participation in one of USDA’s summer meal programs to provide meals at no cost to students. Under normal circumstances, those meals must be served in a group setting. However, in a public health emergency, the law allows USDA the authority to waive the group setting meal requirement, which is vital during a social distancing situation.
As always, States may request waivers of other Program requirements, as needed, and those will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
The announcement is effective immediately and will cover efforts triggered by school closings through June 30, 2020. USDA stands ready to provide additional assistance to areas impacted by the coronavirus as part of the much larger government-wide response, in accordance with the law.
All Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) programs – including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); Special Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); and the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs – have flexibilities and contingencies built-in to allow them to respond to on-the-ground realities in the event of a disaster or emergency situation.
9 thoughts on “USDA announces “flexibilities” to feed children when schools close”
How about something different. Parents feed their own kids.
How about the 5 year old whose parents both work? Or the one who doesn’t get food at home because her parents aren’t ever home? Or the one who doesn’t get to eat at home because mommy or daddy spends all their money for drugs or alcohol?
What about people getting off welfare and taking care of themselves? It’s called being responsible. Ever hear of it before???
Yeah, I have heard of it. Why are you at home? On welfare? Besides, you want to starve a 5 year old because his parents are deadbeats? You are a special kind of cruel.
General guideline for school. One kid has it. Close school for 72 hours and clean. Several kids infected it will be 2 weeks shutdown. But in China the children infected are really low. Those at high risk are over 60 or chronic illness. And it seems to attack smokers and obesity the worst. 10-15 times more deadly than the flu. Since testing kits are in short supply the experts thinks it’s 10 times more widespread than is reported. Italy death rate jumped 30% overnight. Stock up/stay home.
Schools and nursing homes will be tough on the teachers/caregivers. It is spreading rapidly. What a nightmare.
teachers do not work enough hours to contract the virous
Then you definitely have nothing to worry about.
You are not very bright.