K-12 Schools

Operations

Lawmakers want comment period for proposed school nutrition standards to be extended

U.S. Senator John Boozman and U.S. Representative Virginia Foxx have written a letter to Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack asking for the comment period to be prolonged by 30 days.

Operations

4 ways K-12 operators are tackling labor shortages

Faced with staffing shortages, K-12 nutrition directors have come up with creative ways to make sure that kids keep getting fed.

The budget earmarks over $15 billion in funds to allow more school districts to take advantage of the Community Eligibility Provision

Also in this week’s K-12 legislative update: Several states introduce or advance universal free meals bills, while others look to expand local procurement in schools.

Schools throughout Santa Rosa County are now offering free after-school meals for students.

Universal free meals, reimbursement rates, shifting nutrition standards and more were major topics during the School Nutrition Association’s event this week.

The kid-favorite retail brand will be offered on school menus as early as this fall.

School nutrition operators are planning special menu items, contests and more for March 6-10.

The meal debt problem is in lawmakers’ hands, says Dan Ellnor of Jefferson County Public Schools. School districts across the country have amassed more than $19 million in unpaid meal fees, according to a recent School Nutrition Association survey.

Also in this week’s K-12 legislative update: Illinois looks to reimburse schools for the actual cost of free meals, while New Jersey and Washington consider expanding free meal access.

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