Schools Aim to Feed Students – Including Remote Learners – This Fall
Pittsburgh Post Gazette, authors Bob Batz Jr., Joshua Axelrod, and Dan Gigler, August 24, 2020
This article provides an overview of how schools have adapted their meal services to accommodate both remote learners and students physically attending schools in the Pittsburg, Pennsylvania area. In the Penn-Trafford School District, students will dine in the cafeteria. The cafeteria will have new features, such as sneeze guards, social-distance stickers, and “without toppings bars.” The Pittsburg Public Schools opted to go fully virtual, and offers grab-and-go meals five days a week at more than 25 pick-up sites. The Hampton Township School District is utilizing a hybrid model that will have students physically attend schools two days a week, where they will send students home with meals to be eaten on days they are learning remotely.
Full story, here: https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/08/24/School-lunch-breakfast-COVID-19-USDA-Food-Bank-No-Kid-Hungry-Allies-for-Children/stories/202008180124
How the Pandemic Has Changed Cafeterias at Stark County Schools
IndeOnline.com, author Amy Knapp, August 20, 2020
In Stark County, Ohio, the Stark County Schools system is employing multiple new methods to foster safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. In Plain’s elementary schools, students will choose between two lunch menu items in the morning, and they will be served later in their classrooms. Older students will be served in the cafeteria, spaced out to be mindful of social distancing, and serving times will be staggered to prevent long lines from forming. The cafeteria is going cashless, and students will say their pin numbers to staff rather than type them in.
Full story, here: https://www.cantonrep.com/news/20200820/how-pandemic-has-changed-cafeterias-at-stark-county-schools
DeKalb Schools Partner with Atlanta Community Food Bank to Distribute Meals for Students
11alive.com, author Jason Braverman, August 25, 2020
The Dekalb County Public School District in Georgia has partnered with the Atlanta Community Food Bank to distribute food once a week to children who are in school and learning virtually at home. Food bundles will be available for pickup at DeKalb County Schools on Thursdays beginning August 27. They will also offer a two-day meal package for pick up.
Questions and Answers for the Child Nutrition Programs during School Year 2020-21 – #5
USDA, FNS
The USDA, FNS has released an additional memo to help provide clarification to state agencies operating school food programs during school re-openings during the COVID-19 crisis. The memo provides information about additional waivers, and includes questions and answers to assist school nutrition professionals.
The full memo is available online, here:
Waiver Alert! Four Nationwide SFSP Waivers Extended
School Nutrition Association
The SNA has published information about the USDA extending school meal program waivers in on an easy-to-navigate landing page. Waivers regard allowing non-congregate feeding, meal pattern flexibility, area eligibility waivers, and allowances for parents to pick up meals for children.
Link to the announcement and waivers, here: https://schoolnutrition.org/news-publications/news/2020/waiver-alert-four-nationwide-sfsp–waivers-extended/
Impromptu Minneapolis School Food Drive Brings 29,000 Bags of Food Thedad.com
Author Mark Chalifoux
Some areas of the city of Minneapolis quickly became a food desert amidst an ongoing Covid-19 pandemic coupled with recent protests. With many grocery stores looted, damaged, or closed to deter rioters, many in the community were left without access to groceries. When Sanford Middle School hosted a food drive to help feed the hungry in their community, they had hoped to receive 500 bags of groceries. They were greeted with cars backed up for more than ten blocks, and received over 29,000 bags of food. They were left with a surplus of food that they distributed to other points throughout the city to help feed the hungry.