USDA to continue free meal program

The United States Department of Agriculture will continue to provide free meals to all students through Sept. 30.

The USDA previously extended the free meal program through June 30, but the department found it appropriate to continue the program through September.

The program was set up in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The USDA introduced this program so that students across the country would have access to healthy food as recovery efforts from the pandemic continue, even when schools were closed.

With the extension of the meals, food service workers have noticed the advantages that have been presented from it.

Kandice Miller, food service director for Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School, mentioned that this program has helped families financially.

“Families that do not qualify for free or reduced meal prices do not have to worry about coming up with breakfast and lunch money,” said Miller.

With the burden off parents and families who may struggle financially, advantages also arise for food service workers.

“The food service staff does not have the awful duty of keeping track of students’ accounts,” said Miller. “If the money becomes low in the student’s account, we don’t have to remind the families to deposit money.”

Food service workers also know that the students are being fed properly with the free meal program in place.

“It has been an advantage for us food workers, because we know that the students are being fed healthy meals,” said Amy Laatsch, food service director for Tigerton Middle/High School.

According to Miller, the number of students who have participated in both the breakfast and the lunch programs has increased.

“The program is going quite well,” said Miller. “The number of students who have participated has increased, which is great to see.”

In the Tigerton and Shawano school districts, there has also been an increase in the students who are taking hot lunch and breakfast daily.

“During a typical year, about 50% of the students take hot lunch; this year, we are at around 85%,” said Laatsch.

Bobby Reed, food service director for Shawano, mentioned that he is seeing double the amount of students consuming the free breakfast provided by the school.

“During the normal school year, we have only about 450 kids eating breakfast, which is only about 18% of the student body,” said Reed. “This school year, we have 900 a day, so double what we normally have, which is fantastic.”

The Shawano and Tigerton school districts are also offering delivery to students who are learning virtually, something that would not be available during a normal year.

The food service staff say their priority is supplying healthy meals to students and that keeping this model in place would be a benefit to all.

“This is a no-brainer,” said Laatsch. “Students do about 20-30% better on tests and assignments when they are better fed.”

All of the parties involved, including the families of the students, could benefit from continuing the free meal program.

“There would be no financial worries for the families that are in financial situations that do not qualify for free or reduced prices,” said Miller.

The free meal program has been a success at Shawano, Tigerton and Wittenberg-Birnamwood so far, according to the food service directors.

“During a normal school year, we normally serve around 250,000 meals,” said Reed. “This school year to date, we have already done over 300,000 meals.”

According to Laatsch, continuing to give students an opportunity to consume healthy meals is a benefit that will help them in both school and their future.

“Putting money towards students is worth it,” said Laatsch, “The kids are the future, and we want to make sure that they are happy and healthy.”

lreimer@newmedia-wi.com