The federal government has ended a pandemic policy that will affect students going to public school this year. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture did not extend its free meal program regardless of income level this upcoming school year after two years of doing it due to the pandemic. Panorama Superintendent Shawn Holloway says the school district will continue to serve meals like they did pre pandemic. 

“So, this coming school year, (20)22-23 school year, we’re going back to the old system. So to be eligible for free or reduced meals will be dependent on family income status. So it’s just kind of a shift back to the old system.

 The School Board approved at their regular July meeting to increase student breakfast and lunch prices, including breakfast going from $1.60 to $1.75 and lunch prices will be $2.75, which is a $.25 increase . Holloway says the two years of free lunch did affect the change in meal prices along with inflation. 

“You know, with inflation right now and gas prices and some of those things, it sure would have been nice if the free lunch program would have continued for students for the foreseeable future.”

For more information of getting free and reduced meals click link here

https://www.panoramaschools.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=247711&type=d&pREC_ID=574403