School meal programs prepare to return to previous rules
July 8, 2022
The federal free school meals program, which automatically qualified every student to get access to free food for the last two years, has ended following the expiration of federal waivers enacted at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. School nutrition programs are preparing for the return of pre-pandemic free and reduced-price meal rules during the 2022-23 school year as inflation, supply chain disruptions and staffing challenges continue to affect districts nationwide.