The USDA has increased funding for schools and childcare providers to serve kids healthy meals. The funding went into effect July 1 and increases reimbursement by roughly $0.68 per free or reduced-price lunch and $0.32 per free or reduced-price breakfast.
The initiative is part of the Biden Administration’s efforts to lower costs and provide American families with budget assistance. The reimbursements place an estimated $4.3 billion of additional funding into meal programs this year.
“The boost in reimbursements will help provide financial relief for schools so they can continue serving high-quality meals to students amid higher food costs and persistent supply chain challenges,” said Stacy Dean, deputy undersecretary for food, nutrition, and consumer services, in a statement. “USDA is fully committed to using every resource in its toolbelt to ensure kids get the healthy meals they need to grow, learn, and thrive.”
USDA is also providing ongoing support for child nutrition programs that work with school meal programs; for example, the department is working with U.S. states to provide food benefits to children during the summer months. Flexibilities for summer meal programs have been extended through September of this year allowing sites to serve meals at no cost to families, and the reimbursement rate for the Child and Adult Care Food Program has increased for the 2022-23 school year.
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