USDA program providing free meals for students

For schools in Washington County, students will receive free lunch and breakfast through December.

The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture is extending several 'flexibilities” through Dec. 31 or until funds run out.

One of the programs allowed to continue includes the Summer Food Service Program. This program allows students to have free meals throughout the summer months and will now continue through the end of the year.

The Highland, Mid-Prairie and Keota school districts have started utilizing the program for the school year.

The Washington Community School District is currently working to make the program available for students.

'This unprecedented move will help ensure – no matter what the situation is on-the-ground – children have access to nutritious food as the country recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic,” according to a USDA press release.

Students can receive the free meals while at school, to take home for continuous learning days or to take home as a virtual learner. The only thing children will be charged for is a la carte purchases or additional meals.

'When the food services people updated me, it was a no brainer,” Keota Superintendent Jim Henrich said.

Because the reimbursement to the school is a set amount, the Keota school will receive additional funds, which Henrich said will help the hot lunch program.

More information on how families can sign up for the take home meals for Highland can be found on its website, highlandhuskies.org. Mid-Prairie students must contact the schools to pick up meals.