The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) has expanded the grant for free school lunches through next September. The old grant allowed us to have free lunches from last September in 2020, to the end of this year in 2021. Now expanding the grant is allowing free lunches throughout the entirety of next school year, from August 2021 to September 2022. In March the USDA said that these free lunches would only expand to September 30, leaving many schools uncertain about next year. As of  Tuesday, April 20, 2021, the grant for universal free lunches will continue throughout the 2021-2022 school year. 

    “I think because it is free more students are choosing that option,” states Smith, principal of the middle school. Seeing that now more students do not have to worry about the cost of their food, they are using that option more. The grant is also used for breakfast, and this is also helping the school ensure that everyone, even those who can’t afford lunch are able to have the option to eat everyday. 

       Each and every Friday as students from the middle school are leaving to go home they have the option to take home a bagged lunch. Even if you do not need one you are able to take one home. This option appears every Friday, and also happens at the elementary school. 

       Now that we know the free lunches will continue we are able to ensure every kid is able to eat breakfast and lunch at school everyday.