USDA Extends Flexibilities Though June

The USDA announced last week it will continue to provide flexibilities to ensure children who need meals receive them, whether or not they are physically at school this fall.

"Schools, a lot of them, are still uncertain about what they're going to do for fall over even spring and so they're looking at a number of options and how they're going to ensure kids have access to food," said USDA Deputy Undersecretary Brandon Lipps. "The waivers that we extended extended for the entire next school year so they can plan, they move in a direction that encourages those schools to make sure they're connecting with their children."

The nationwide waivers will remain in effect until June 30th. Those flexibilities allow for meals to be served outside of group settings and outside of standard times which will facilitate grab-and-go, and other alternate service options.

"Whether they're free or reduced price eligible children or whether there are general children who pay for those meals at school they can serve them in the classroom, they can serve them in the lunch room, they can prepare meals for those children to take home."

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