News

USDA extends free meals to children through September

The USDA has issued waivers that will allow children to receive meals when schools are out of session this summer.

The waivers, previously extended through June, are now available until Sept. 30.

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says the department will do everything it can to ensure children get access to healthy and nutritious meals. He says USDA is committed to providing local program operators with the resources and certainty they need.

The waivers extend the Summer Food Service Program and Seamless Sumer Option at no cost. The meals can be served outside of the normal required group settings and meal times and parents and guardians are allowed to pick up meals for their children.

Nearly 12 million children are living in households where they may not always have enough to eat. USDA says the summer meals will provide relief to children in families who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.