Pressure from Representative TJ Cox Keeps Kids Fed Through 2020
Last week, Rep. TJ Cox (CA-21) and his colleagues took action to pressure the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to extend school meal waivers by sending multiple letters to Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue to make sure children continue to have access to nutritious meals, regardless of whether they are on campus.
The letters clarify the USDA’s responsibility to administer funds for food-related school programs during the pandemic. Following receipt of the letter, the USDA agreed to continue to use Congressionally-appropriated funding and authority to provide children with nutritious foods through December 2020.
“Throughout the pandemic, our schools and community partners have used school meal waivers to distribute nutritious meals. These meals are absolutely vital for student's health, development, and academic success," said Rep. Cox. “I will continue to fight for food security in the Central Valley, and to ensure that no child ever goes hungry.”
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) delegates responsibility for the continuation of school meal waivers to the USDA. The USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) helps keep our children fed, safe and healthy. Food service waivers are vital for combating widespread food insecurity exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
As schools "return to session” it is important that programs that have proved effective since April, such as the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and Seamless Summer Option (SSO), are able to continue operations. While the decision to extend waivers through December 2020 is a step in the right direction, the original request for an extension for the full 2020-2021 school year has not yet been granted.
In the second letter reiterating their request and confirming the Department of Agriculture’s authority over school meal waiver programs, the members wrote:
“We are writing to express our disapproval of your decision not to extend all school meal waivers through the 2020-2021 school year. We urge you to immediately reverse your decision and extend all of the waivers using your authority under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). At a moment when as many as 17 million children did not get enough to eat this summer, this decision is not only based in an incorrect understanding of the law, but it is also irresponsible and cruel.”
Click for full text of first letter & follow up letter.
