It was welcome news this week for schools, families, and children across the country as the USDA announced that it will extend free meals for kids through December 31, 2020. This includes allowing summer meal program operators to continue serving free meals to children into the fall months. This move will ensure that children will have access to nutritious meals no matter what their back-to-school scenario is during the COVID-19 pandemic – whether it’s in-person classes, virtual learning from home, or a hybrid format. (Read the full USDA news release here.)
“These waivers ensure schools can continue to safely meet students’ nutritional needs this fall,” said School Nutrition Association (SNA) President Reggie Ross, SNS, in a news release praising the school meal extensions. “In the midst of a pandemic, no family should have to worry about their child missing out on healthy school breakfast or lunch. School meal programs face unprecedented challenges and need the assurance that these critical waivers will be available through the entire school year. SNA will continue working with USDA and Congress to further extend these waivers to support school meal programs and the students we serve.”
As I noted in a blog last month, this is something we can help with and are ready for! For years, E S Foods’ expertise in providing for Classroom Feeding, especially Classroom Breakfast, has been evident by our extensive line of grab & go meals such as our Breakfast BREAKS and Meal BREAKS. These meal kits along with our individually wrapped items are designed so students can handle the food themselves, making them an ideal choice for Classroom Lunch initiatives as well. Product highlights of our Breakfast BREAKS and Meal BREAKS:
- Shelf-stable meals (no refrigeration needed)
- Thaw & serve varieties
- Highly portable
- Components individually wrapped
- Include individual wrapped utensils
- Student handles own meal; requires no help from or prep by others
- Compliant with all mandated FDA standards
In addition, our Heat & Serve entrees come individually wrapped, including our hand-held Pinwheels and Ciabatta Cheese Melts. Options include: Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Ciabatta Cheese Melts, Breakfast Egg & Cheese Bowties, and Pinwheels. Let us help you design menus that will meet your “new normal” school meal needs this school year.