ROBBINS APPLAUDS FEDERAL EXTENSION OF FREE MEAL PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS
MAPLE GROVE, MN— State Representative Kristin Robbins, R-Maple Grove, joined thirty-one of her colleagues in sending a bipartisan letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue asking to extend the summer lunch program through the end of the year. On Monday, August 30, the USDA announced it was extending the program through the end of the year.
"I am very happy that the bipartisan letter I sent with over thirty of my colleagues helped to extend the waiver on the school lunch program through the end of the year," said Rep. Robbins. "Food insecurity is a challenge throughout our state and allowing students to continue to get school lunches will help meet the need and help students succeed academically. I am very pleased the Trump Administration granted this waiver and appreciate Chair Tina Liebling's leadership on this effort."
USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is extending a suite of nationwide waivers for the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and Seamless Summer Option (SSO) through the end of 2020, or until available funding runs out. This includes:
- Allowing SFSP and SSO meals to be served in all areas and at no cost;
- Permitting meals to be served outside of the typically-required group settings and meal times;
- Waiving meal pattern requirements as necessary; and
- Allowing parents and guardians to pick-up meals for their children.
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