Adair-Casey/Guthrie Center and Panorama are among school districts across the country that have been issued a waiver by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide free breakfast and lunch meals to all students this semester.

These waivers are given to schools who have participated in the USDA’s Summer Food Service Program, which will provide the free meals through December 31st this year or until available funding from the federal Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and Economic Recovery Act runs out. Panorama Superintendent Shawn Holloway says for his district that all money currently in students’ meals accounts will carry over until regular prices resume, and the District will do its best to communicate any changes prior to December 31st. Holloway shares the benefits of the free meal program, “From a fiscal standpoint, I like it because the reimbursement rate is higher than what we charge for full price meals so that’s a good thing financially for our nutrition department. Obviously, for individuals and families it’s a good thing as people are still trying to make ends meet financially, and so I don’t see a negative to it in terms of for the school district or for the students and families.”

The free meal waivers began this week and according to AC/GC Schools the program will not be retroactive to the start of the school year, and onsite students may purchase seconds or a la carte items at regular charge. Remote learners may also access meals by visiting the junior high main or high school superintendent entrance from 10:45-11 a.m., similar to the summer program.