USDA extends free meals to children

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced the nationwide extension of several waivers that allow all children to continue to receive nutritious meals this summer when schools are out of session.

These flexibilities are now available through Sept. 30, 2021, the department said in a news release providing details earlier this month.

USDA is extending these waivers to provide local program operators with clarity and certainty for the summer months ahead, when many children cannot access the school meals they depend on during the academic year. The waivers were previously extended only through June 30, 2021.

“We will do everything we can to make sure children get access to healthy, nutritious meals regardless of their families’ financial circumstances,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement.

The waivers extended today allow for safe meal distribution sites that serve all children for free, regardless of income.

In addition, the waivers:

*Allow meals served through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and Seamless Summer Option (SSO) – collectively known as “summer meal programs” – to be made available in all areas at no cost;

* Allow meals to be served outside of the normally required group settings and meal times; and

*Allow parents and guardians to pickup meals for their children, including bulk pick-up to cover multiple days of feeding children.

The meals are also available to persons over age 18 with mental or physical disabilities.

Sites may be located in a variety of settings including schools, parks, community centers, libraries, churches and more.

To learn more, visit www.fns.usda.gov/ sfsp/how-become-sponsor