school lunch

The group found high levels of sodium and the presence of heavy metals in meal kits it tested. A Kraft Heinz spokesperson said all of its products meet strict safety standards.

At least eight measures are aimed at intersecting Oklahoma schools with the state’s agricultural industry. The efforts are meant to support local farmers while enabling them to feed children who rely on school to meet their nutritional needs.

Because Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt opted out of a Summer EBT program to feed children, the Muscogee Nation has decided to give practically identical benefits.

The Local Food for Schools Program began in 2023 and as of January, almost 250 Oklahoma school districts have received grants through the project. Officials say because of its success, there is no more available funding.

New bills would create a farm-to-school program, increase access to free lunches.

That total would cover overdue cafeteria bills from seven school districts across the state. The largest of them, Stillwater Public Schools, reported $37,003 in student lunch debt from the previous school year.

All students received free school meals during the pandemic. That ended after the 2021-22 school year, but several states across the Midwest and Great Plains have expanded access to school meals this school year.

The Farm-to-School movement is out to revolutionize the humble school lunch with food grown on local farms. But the path from cropland to cafeteria is full of complicated twists and turns. A new wave of federal funding is trying to smooth the way.

After the end of pandemic-era free meals, schools are reporting rising school meal debt and fewer kids in their free and reduced price programs.

Vermont is inching closer to passing a bill to make school meals free for all public school students. It could be the next to join five other states to make the move after pandemic-era benefits.