Summer meals program to continue in Montgomery County after Keep Kids Fed Act signed over weekend | ClarksvilleNow.com – Clarksville Now

CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Clarksville parents in need of help will get assistance feeding their children this summer after all.

Last week, it was announced that the USDA’s waiver program enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic to offer free meals for all students was set to expire at the end of this month.
But on Saturday morning, the Keep Kids Fed Act, sponsored by Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan) and Sen. John Boozman (R-Arkansas), was signed into law by President Joe Biden as a way to continue to offer meal programs to families through the remainder of the summer.
USDA’s child nutrition programs have been essential throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Kim Betton, spokeswoman for the USDA Food Nutrition Services of the Southeast Region.

“We know the coming school year will be a significant transition for families and program operators; however, USDA’s passion for serving children remains at full force, and we will move forward together to ensure kids get the nutritious meals they need and deserve,” she said.
“The USDA has already made certain operational flexibilities available to child nutrition program state agencies for summer 2022 and school year 2022-23,” she added, noting the “flexibilities” are individual waivers to assist agencies and programs as they transition to operations designed around their own unique circumstances.
Anthony Johnson, Clarksville-Montogomery County School System spokesman, said CMCSS will continue offering free meals to children 18 and under through Wednesday, July 27. “Before the president signed the bill on Saturday, the USDA Seamless Summer Option meal waivers were set to expire on June 30,” he said.

How to get food

Johnson said once-a-week curbside pickup service will continue to be available Wednesdays from 9:30-10 a.m., at the following elementary schools: West Creek, St. Bethlehem, Liberty, and Cumberland Heights. “Families should follow the directional signage at each site, and service will not be provided on days district offices are closed,” he said.
Johnson also said meals cannot be consumed on-site, per USDA regulations.
“Families should prepare to wait in line, as visitors may vary each week,” he said. “The limited supply of food is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Organizations and individuals cannot pick up food for other families/multiple families, only the parent or legal guardian may do so.”

Johnson said parents they may need to fill out additional information when a child is not present to pick up meals. “Traditional students (students attending summer school) are not eligible for curbside meals, as they have the opportunity to receive a free breakfast and lunch during summer school hours,” he said.

Free and Reduced Meals

Families who believe their child qualifies for free or reduced meals for the upcoming 2022-23 school year are urged to apply for the Free and Reduced Meals program. The application will be open beginning Monday, July 18. An application can be completed online at www.schoolcafe.com, the fastest and preferred method, or a paper application can be picked up at your child’s enrolled school after July 21.

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