Children Can Get Free Meals All Summer
The USDA has extended its pandemic free food program for the summer until at least September 30, 2021. If you haven’t participated yet, you may be surprised to know that this meal is for all school-age children and is 100% free with no paperwork.
As the USDA states:
Exceptions, now extended, allow the creation of safe food outlets that serve all children free of charge, regardless of income. Also, the exceptions are:
- Allow free provision of food served under the Summer Meal Program (SFSP) and Summer Option (SSO), collectively known as the “ Summer Meal Programs ”;
- Allow food to be served outside of normally required group settings and meal times; and
- Allow parents and guardians to collect food for their children, including in bulk, for a few days of feeding the children.
Contact your school district to find out how they serve or distribute food. For example, at our local school, parents fill out an online form every week indicating how many children they are requesting meals for and whether those children are completely remote or are already eating part of their lunch at school. Then, on the appointed day, we drive up to the school, and the cafeteria staff hands us a large bag through the window. Meals include all the ingredients of a typical school lunch and everyday breakfast: small milk cartons, carrot cartons, microwave-safe main dishes, and so on.
Typically, families should be eligible for free or reduced price meals, and schools are required to serve meals according to certain rules and schedules, but during the pandemic, the USDA dropped some rules to remove barriers and help more children feed. Disclaimers vary by state and you can find them here if you’re interested , but the best way to find out what’s going on in your area is to contact your kids’ school.
Summer meals are served or handed out not only in schools, but often also in churches and community centers. In previous years, these summer eating places could only be located in low-income areas, but the exemption from the rules allows more places to be opened. The USDA has a Summer Dinner Finder tool to help you find a place near you.