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Everyone's got an opinion on proposed USDA nutrition standards for schools — especially the students

Apr 7, 2023
The USDA says kids' health is at stake with the proposed nutrition standards. But some manufacturers say making food with less salt and sugar will cost more, while nutrition directors are worried students won’t eat the meals.
The USDA is currently accepting comments on proposed changes to the nutritional standards of school meals.
Jeff Pachoud/AFP via Getty Images

USDA proposes rules to expand access to free school lunches

Mar 29, 2023
The agency wants to help more school districts cover the costs of universal free meals.
Universal free meals kept a lot of kids from going hungry at the height of the pandemic, said the Urban Institute's Emily Gutierrez.
Daniel Leal/AFP via Getty Images

For 2 years, there was such a thing as a free lunch — at public schools. Not anymore.

Aug 18, 2022
The pandemic relief program that provided free meals was an outlier in the 75-year history of the federal school lunch program.
The federal government's universal free school lunch program has expired, though the idea is popular with parents.
Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

School lunches aren't free to everyone anymore. Some advocates think they should be.

Jun 30, 2022
There are a lot of benefits to making school lunch and other social benefits more universal. But, yes, it's expensive to do.
Despite the popularity of universal free lunches during the pandemic, lawmakers allowed the program to expire.
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Tater tot casserole without tater tots? Rising costs stress school lunch programs.

Apr 11, 2022
Schools provide meals to millions of kids each day, and they're closely watching food inflation.
During the pandemic, most schools were able to offer free lunches under a federal waiver. But that waiver's set to expire this summer.
Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

California and Maine will offer free public school lunches

Jul 20, 2021
These are the first statewide programs, though some cities already have universal free lunch in schools.
The two states will begin providing free lunches to students in public school during the 2022-23 school year.
George Frey/AFP via Getty Images

Pandemic food program covers students, even on summer break

Jul 6, 2021
The number of summer meals served last July increased by 160%. And this summer, those benefits will be extended.
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For public good, not for profit.

French farmers protest taking meat off Lyon school lunch menu

Mar 30, 2021
Green Party Mayor Grégory Doucet says adopting a single meatless menu helps to make social distancing easier during COVID-19.
Farmers protested the meat ban with a banner reading "Stop ideology in our plates."
Olivier Chassignole/AFP via Getty Images

Schools find new ways to deliver free lunches during pandemic

Dec 1, 2020
Of the 30 million low-income students who are eligible for free lunches, only 15% are currently getting those meals.
A student chaperoned by an adult picks up a meal to go on November 19, 2020 at Yung Wing School P.S. 124 in New York City.
Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Schools worry that shutdown will affect lunch programs

Jan 23, 2019
The shutdown has school districts worried about their ability to feed students.
The partial government shutdown has school districts worried about their ability to feed students.
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