The United States Congress has failed to act on much-needed extensions for the school meal waivers. June 30, 2022 now looms as the deadline for these waivers to expire and for school districts across the country to return to more restrictive practices.

The waivers provided much-needed relief, eliminating the requirement for parents to fill out paperwork, allowing curbside pick-up so children and their families could avoid eating in crowded cafeterias, and providing flexible substitutions when supply chains failed to deliver.

It’s a complicated challenge and so Directors and Cafeteria Staff are scrambling to implement the rules for their summer programs, as well as plan ahead for the fall.

TRiGroup’s Advice:

1) Check in and support your Child Nutrition Leaders and Staff. They know our families and face them every day, providing them with nourishment and care. It will be difficult for them to implement new restrictions or to turn some families away knowing they are hungry.

2) Call us at TRiGroup, Inc. We have experienced CNS Directors on our team to help you!

3) Read the following articles and website links for helpful information:

CA Department of Education, “Summer 2022 Noncongregate and Pick-Up Waivers”

“Free US school lunches were a dream come true. Now, a hunger crisis looms for 10 million children.” Article by The Guardian