Ottumwa will continue to provide free meals for all students through the 2020-21 school year. A recent announcement by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary, Sonny Perdue extended the nationwide waiver.
“As our nation recovers and reopens, we want to ensure that children continue to receive the nutritious breakfasts and lunches they count on during the school year wherever they are, and however they are learning,” said Secretary Perdue.
In announcing the waiver, USDA leaders thanked President Trump for signing into law continuing appropriations that extended funding allowing USDA to make this unprecedented move. Since then, many partners have joined in to express their gratitude.
“This is an important victory for our children," said Yvonne Johnson, Director of Food and Nutrition Services for Ottumwa Schools. "We commend the USDA for extending these essential waivers through the entire school year. The benefit to our families is wonderful! ”
Background:
On Friday, Oct. 9, 2020, USDA extended flexibilities in its Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and Seamless Summer Option (SSO) through June 30, 2021 to allow schools and other sites to continue to provide meals at no cost to all children. The department previously extended free meals through December 2020, based on funding available at the time, but was now able to extend throughout the entire 2020-2021 school year thanks to language in the continuing resolution signed into law by President Trump on Oct. 1, 2020.
The extended waivers:
- Allow SFSP and SSO meals to be served in all areas and at no cost;
- Permit meals to be served outside of the typically required group settings and meal times;
- Waive meal pattern requirements, as necessary; and
- Allow parents and guardians to pick-up meals for their children.