Meal program funding will end before fall term

Meals are available to children through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), a U.S. Department of Agriculture program.

A number of camps and programs are also offering free meals to those children who are enrolled.

Text “FOOD” or “COMIDA” to 304-304 for the latest information about SFSP sites.

School meal waivers that allowed districts to be more flexible getting food to children during the pandemic are set to expire at the end of June, unless Congress acts. Some schooll nutrion experts say the “free meals for all” program should be continued for numerous reasons, including improving public health in Nebraska.Kayte Partch - director of child nutrition programs with the Nebraska Department of Education - said serving free meals to all students regardless of their ability to pay was a big success, and should be continued. She said she believes making healthy meals available to all, and allowing children to discover that they like eating nutritious foods, will produce long-term public-health benefits. “I think overall we’d see society be a little bit healthier, lower risk of those lifestyle-related conditions,” said Partch.