Thanks to recent action by the US Department of Agriculture, schoolchildren can have their meals at no cost to their parents through the rest of the calendar year.
Last week, USDA announced its plans to help children and families work through the coronavirus pandemic, saying this step is an extension of the department’s summer meal program that provided free breakfasts and lunches. Secretary Sonny Perdue added the program is available for students using in-class or remote-only education methods.
Emporia Public Schools announced its plans on Labor Day. All students will get free meals if they qualify for free or reduced meals, regardless of the education model. USD 253 says parents of students who qualify for free or reduced lunches still need to apply by Sept. 15 if their students are using the in-class education model, but students will receive free breakfasts and lunch through the end of the year if those applications are received by the deadline. Parents of students using the remote-only education model need to fill out a special meal reservation form to specify pick-up time and location — and they must fill out the form by 9 am every school day to guarantee meal availability.
Several area districts, including USD 252 Southern Lyon County and USD 421 Lyndon, have already started offering the free meals to their students. Other districts, including USD 244 Burlington and USD 386 Madison-Virgil, will start this week.
*Click here for the online free or reduced lunch application.
*Click here for the printable application in English.
*Click here for the printable application in Spanish.
*Click here to order lunch for remote-only students.
*Click here for the USDA news release.
