“Extending child nutrition waivers through the next academic year is good news for students, families, and schools across the state of New York,” says Sabella.
Contact: Johanna Elsemore, jelsemore@strength.org
New York, NY – This morning, the United States Department of Agriculture announced that it would extend a number of essential child nutrition waivers through the 2021-2022 school year. The following is a statement from No Kid Hungry New York Director Rachel Sabella:
“No Kid Hungry New York applauds the USDA for this proactive extension of these essential child nutrition waivers through the upcoming academic year. This is welcome news for students and schools alike, across the nation and especially right here in New York State as we continue to recover from the economic, educational and health emergencies of the past year.
At a time when millions of families continue to face financial strain, hunger and hardship, these waivers allow schools to reach more kids with the food they need. With them, schools are able to cut through red tape and allow kids to eat for free in the next school year. They can also adapt meal programs to the needs of students and families. For example, in places where students are learning at home or during extended school breaks, they allow for meals to be dropped off at a student’s home, or for parents to pick up multiple days worth of meals. Today’s announcement ensures that kids in New York and across the country will continue to have consistent access to the nutrition they need to grow up healthy and strong as families and communities continue along the long path of recovery.
Announcing this extension today also allows school districts time to appropriately plan and budget for next year’s meal programs so they can operate effectively, efficiently and with the stability needed to support local economies.
School and community meals work alongside programs like Pandemic-EBT, SNAP and summer meal programs to make sure children are able to get the food they need, when they need it. These waivers are a critical piece of the equation and extending them through next year is good for students, good for families and good for schools in New York.”