Article author:
Associated Press
Lisa Rathke
Essex, Vermont (AP) — Before the pandemic, Kate Murphy's children couldn't afford lunch at school. She and her husband bought them together at home and made a bag lunch. As such, free school meals offered to students across the country during the crisis provided a welcome relief, especially as her husband lost his job at a bakery that was closed last year.
Free meals have reduced one concern for families at Essex Junction, Vermont.
"We make too much money (literally just a few dollars) to qualify for free or discounted lunches and other food-related benefits, but the economy It's not enough to really feel comfortable, "four of his mother's Murphy Trust Company and four of his managers said in an email.
The pandemic era federal aid that makes school meals free for all public school students, regardless of family income level, has ended and the next school year There is growing concern about the impact of. For families who are already suffering from rising food and fuel costs.
Regarding the end of other federal aid, such as families already suffering from inflation and the expansion of child tax credits, supporters say that aid cuts will turn to food banks more often. It states that it may mean.
"Families across the country are faced with the very difficult reality of having to choose between feeding their children, filling gas tanks and buying medicine." Vince Hall, Chief Government Officer, Feeding America, a non-profit organization, said. Food bank network.
The rule is set to return to the pre-coronavirus pandemic state with a qualified family based on the income level a child needs to receive a free or discounted lunch. It has been. Schools, primarily in low-income areas, are allowed to provide free breakfast and lunch to all, as before.
Since abandoning eligibility requirements during a pandemic, the USDA, which oversees school lunch programs, has seen a surge in the number of students attending.
During this past school year, about 30 million children were eating free meals per day compared to 20 million before the pandemic, said the administrator of USDA Food and Nutrition Service. Cindy Long said.
In the summer meal distribution, 1.3 billion meals and light meals were distributed nationwide at a cost of $ 4.1 billion in fiscal year 2020. That's eight times the previous year's in terms of food and costs, according to USDA.
The bill, passed by Congress last week and signed by President Joe Biden on Saturday, maintains the rules for a pandemic summer diet program and allows the site to operate anywhere. The purpose is to do so. We provide takeaway meals not only in places where low-income children are concentrated, but also in communities where they are needed. It also provides the flexibility to replace certain types of food without being fined if the school encounters a supply chain problem.
Proponents say the law provides relief, but timing has caused confusion regarding plans to distribute summer meals.
"It's a shame that the extension of the summer exemption is too late to stop the dramatic loss of summer dining places that is happening this summer in most cases." .. Anore Horton, Executive Director of Hunger Free Vermont.
In some states, school meals are available free of charge to all students for the next school year.
California and Maine made a universal diet permanent last year. Vermont uses the state's surplus education funds to continue free meals for all public school students for another year. In Massachusetts, the House of Representatives included $ 110 million in a budget to extend universal school meals for another year, but not the Senator. Currently, both versions are in front of the meeting committee. In Colorado, Congress passed a bill in November this year asking voters to fund a free, universal breakfast and lunch at school.
One day, at Albert D. Lawton Middle School in Vermont, a sophomore in middle school picked up a tray of freshly made pizza and Caesar salad and had lunch with friends around the round table. Students said it was important to continue to provide free meals to all students.
"Free lunch is easy for everyone because not everyone is in the same situation at home and it's hard to learn at school when you're hungry. I think, "said student Esampling.
Not only does a free universal diet nourish children so they can learn, but Congressman Karen Doran of Vermont is still having difficulty with children and their families. Provides some reliability in time. She can also get rid of the stigma of being a free or discounted lunch kids and the embarrassment of families who can't pay a kids lunch account.
However, some officials are worried about easily paying for meals for children in affordable families.
Vermont Republican Governor Phil Scott supports helping those in need, but "to fund the diet of children in wealthy families, we I don't support imposing taxes that affect disproportionately on those who are trying to help, "said spokesman Jason Maurucci.
Family members and supporters say it was difficult for families to lose their universal school lunch and breakfast next year.
"Our kids have a lot to worry about these days. Food shouldn't be one of them," Murphy said.
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Associated Press reporters Sharon Lurie of New Orleans, Steve LeBlanc of Boston, and Jim Anderson of Denver contributed to this report.
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