School meal waivers expire in 9 days. After axing them, Congress may try to save them
NPRSchool meal waivers expire in 9 days. After axing them, Congress may try to save them Enlarge this image toggle caption Paul Sakuma/AP Paul Sakuma/AP A bipartisan group of four lawmakers on Tuesday announced a bill that would extend the school meal waivers that have been a lifeline for schools and families during the pandemic. "With 90% of our schools still facing challenges as they return to normal operations, this will give our schools and summer meal programs much-needed support to deal with ongoing food service issues. During a Senate Agriculture Committee hearing in May, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack warned lawmakers that school budgets could decrease by 40 percent as a result of the ended waivers due to rising food, supply and labor costs. "While these waivers don't solve supply chain issues, lower the rising cost of food and gas, or solve our nation's inflation problem, they do help soften their impact on schools and community organizations and, ultimately, keep kids fed and nourished."
History of this topic
As students go back to school, many face a lunch bill for the first time in 2 years
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Congress approves free student meal extension through summer
Associated Press
Biden signs the school meal waivers bill into law, but free meals are over for many
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