As USDA school meal waivers expire nationwide, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D) last week led more than 100 House members in writing to USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue and demanding that he immediately reverse course to extend all school meal waivers for the 2020-2021 school year.  Perdue rejected Pingree’s previous calls for a school meal waiver extension – an important program to mitigate hunger during the coronavirus pandemic.  Full Plates Full Potential estimates that if food insecurity in Maine rises by 40% as has been predicted, 112,200 kids in Maine could experience hunger.

“At a moment when as many as 17 million children did not get enough to eat this summer, this decision is not only based on an incorrect understanding of the law, but it is also irresponsible and cruel,” said the lawmakers in their letter to Perdue.

“As we discussed in our letter to you on August 7, 2020, your decision no to extend these waivers will make it more difficult, if not impossible, for school meal programs to continue to operate this fall and for families to access nutritious meals for their children,” the lawmakers continued.  “Further, neglecting to extend these waivers will exacerbate the already perilous financial situation school  meal programs are facing.  We therefore urge you to immediately reverse your decision to not extend the school meal waivers.”

In March, Congress authorized the use of waivers in the MEALS Act and the COVID-19 Child Nutrition Response Act in order to continue to provide school meals for children during the pandemic.  Schools and non-profit partners across the country have utilized these waivers to prevent child hunger.

Nationwide, current USDA school meal vouchers expire on Monday, August 31, 2020.