(Hartford, Conn./WTIC) - Advocates lobbying on behalf of students want to permanently expand school breakfast and lunch programs at no charge.
When the pandemic hit, a temporary USDA waiver provided meals at no cost for needy students: both grab-and-go for those learning remotely and modified cafeteria service for in school learners.
Erica Biagetti, president of the Connecticut chapter of the School Nutrition Association, says the meals are a lifeline for students whose families are struggling financially.
She says several states have tried to address the issue on their own but they want to make the program national.
Biagetti says 62-percent of school nutrition directors are staring at a loss for the current school year, which she says eats into their education budgets.
She says they'll be meeting virtually with members of Congress to address the issue as part of the annual Legislative Action Confernence next week.
