USDA extends child nutrition area eligibility waiver

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has extended its child nutrition area eligibility waiver through the end of August. 

The waiver allows schools across the country to continue serving free meals to students through the summer meals program even if they’re not from low-income areas. 

Last month, the USDA also extended its noncongregate feeding waiver, meal times waiver and parent pickup waiver through the end of summer. 

The School Nutrition Association has been vocal in its support about extending these and other emergency waivers. The association recently wrote a letter to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue asking for an extension of all 11 COVID-19 emergency waivers through the end of the upcoming school year, as well as the ability to provide universal free meals to students.