The department says schools must implement change by the 2027 school year.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a memo requiring schools to eliminate junk fees within school meal programs. Price reductions are offered for school breakfast and lunch to children whose household incomes are under 185 percent of federal poverty guidelines. Many families pay for the program through the website of their local school. The department memo requires schools to eliminate any unnecessary online processing fees by the 2027 school year but urges them to reform their junk fee policy before then.
“While today’s action to eliminate extra fees for lower income households is a major step in the right direction, the most equitable path forward is to offer every child access to healthy school meals at no cost,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “We will continue to work with Congress to move toward that goal so all kids have the nutrition they need to reach their full potential.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Secretary Vilsack to look to the Lord for direction as he heads the USDA.
- For USDA officials as they seek to eliminate junk fees from school lunch payment processing.
Sources: Department of Agriculture
