Sinema’s bipartisan letter urges maximum flexibility in school meal programs through the end of the 2020-2021 school year
WASHINGTON – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide maximum flexibility in school meal programs throughout the 2020-2021 school year.
“School meals serve as critical sources of nutrition for 600,000 Arizona children. As Arizona continues distance-learning, we must ensure Arizona students stay fed and healthy during this public health emergency,” said Sinema.
In July, Sinema and a bipartisan group of Senators first urged USDA to extend a variety of waivers that will help ensure Arizona students who rely on school breakfast and lunch can continue to access school-provided meals throughout the upcoming school year, even if they are distance-learning or should schools ending up closing abruptly based on local pandemic conditions. However, USDA decided not to extend all waivers for the entire 2020-2021 school year, rather USDA chose to extend some waivers through the end of 2020 in response to the Senators request. In today’s letter, Sinema and her bipartisan colleagues urged the administration to correct this decision immediately to ensure support for Arizona school meal programs so students don’t go hungry and can learn safely from their homes through the end of the 2020-2021 school year.
Click HERE to read Sinema’s bipartisan letter.
Click HERE to read the Spanish version of release.