School Nutrition Association calls for COVID-19 waivers extension and universal free meals

The School Nutrition Association (SNA) has sent a letter to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue calling for an extension of the COVID-19 emergency feeding waivers through the end of the upcoming 2020-2021 school year and the ability for districts to provide universal free meals to students. 

The letter argues that the waiver extension and universal free meals will allow operators to best serve students when they return in the fall, and that government officials must implement these changes now since operators have already begun planning their meal service for the upcoming school year. 

The association is also suggesting that the USDA form a task force comprised of school meal program operators, state agency staff and industry experts, which would meet monthly to discuss how school nutrition programs can best manage operations during COVID-19.  

Last month, the USDA extended three nationwide waivers through Aug. 31 to allow school foodservice operators to continue to feed students while promoting health and safety.