Nov. 1, 2022
School districts are reporting an uptick in student meal debt following the end of federal waivers that allowed for free meals for all students regardless of family income, according to the School Nutrition Association. "People who have children in kindergarten and first grade, they have never had to pay for lunches. So we have to really educate them," said Rhonda Ramsdell, president of the South Dakota chapter of SNA. "We're working daily, making calls to get people to fill out applications and put money on those accounts. It's been a difficult year."