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USDA Extends Free Meals for All Kids Through December 31, 2020

September 5, 2020


On August 31, 2020, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will extend summer meal program operators to continue serving free meals to all children into the fall months, as late as December 31, 2020. This unprecedented move will help ensure – no matter what the situation is on-the-ground – children have access to nutritious food as the country recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. USDA has been and continues to be committed to using the Congressionally appropriated funding that has been made available.

“As our nation reopens and people return to work, it remains critical our children continue to receive safe, healthy, and nutritious food. During the COVID-19 pandemic, USDA has provided an unprecedented amount of flexibilities to help schools feed kids through the school meal programs, and today, we are also extending summer meal program flexibilities for as long as we can, legally and financially,” said Secretary Perdue. “We appreciate the incredible efforts by our school foodservice professionals year in and year out, but this year we have an unprecedented situation. This extension of summer program authority will employ summer program sponsors to ensure meals are reaching all children – whether they are learning in the classroom or virtually –  so they are fed and ready to learn, even in new and ever-changing learning environments.”


What does this mean for children in the Jeffco Public Schools area?

Beginning September 8th, Jeffco Public Schools will provide breakfast and lunch meals to all students at no cost through December 31, 2020, regardless of free and reduced meal eligibility. It is essential that families still complete a Free and Reduced Meal Application as these waivers may end in December and applications will still be used to waive applicable fees and other functions. All families should create a SchoolCafé Account if they don't have one already (student ID is necessary).

Below you will find essential information regarding Food and Nutrition Services operations, effective September 8th. Each school will operate differently based on its schedule and COVID-19 precautions, so please stay tuned for specific information from your school.

➡️ In Person Elementary (Starting September 8th)

  • Breakfast Meals will be served in one of two ways:
    • All students may visit the cafeteria to pick up a breakfast meal and take that meal to the classroom to eat.  Or
    • Meals will be ordered in their classroom the day prior and meals will be delivered to the classroom to be eaten.
  • Lunch Meals will be served in one of two ways:
    • All students may visit the cafeteria to pick up a lunch meal and take that meal to the classroom, cafeteria or other designated location to eat.  Or
    • Choosing from the available options, meals will be ordered in their classroom in the morning and meals will be brought to the classroom to be eaten.

➡️ Hybrid Middle School (Starting September 14th)

  • Breakfast Meals (If offered by the school) will be served in one of two ways on the days when in person learning:
    • All students may visit the cafeteria to pick up a breakfast meal and take that meal to the classroom to eat.  Or
    • Meals will be ordered in their classroom the day prior and meals will be delivered to the classroom to be eaten.
  • Lunch Meals will be served in one of two ways:
    • All students may visit the cafeteria to pick up a lunch meal and take that meal to the classroom, cafeteria or other designated location to eat.  Or
    • Choosing from the available options, meals will be ordered in their classroom in first period class and meals will be brought to the classroom to be eaten.
  • Meals for Remote Learning Days
    • 3 days’ worth of breakfast and/or lunch meals for remote learning days will be provided at the end of school day on the second day of in-person learning for each student each week.
    • Students will pick up these meals in the cafeteria or at another location(s) designated by school and take them home.

➡️ Hybrid High School (Starting September 8th)

  • Breakfast meals will be served in the cafeteria at the time(s) designated by your school.
  • Lunch Meals will be served in the cafeteria at the time(s) designated by your school.
  • Meals for Remote Learning Days
    • 3 days’ worth of breakfast and/or lunch meals for remote learning days will be provided at the end of school day on the second day of in-person learning for each student each week.
    • Meals can be taken home with student.
    • Students will pick up these meals in the cafeteria or at another location(s) designated by school and take them home.

➡️ 100% Remote Learning (All Grade Levels) (Starting September 14th)

  • Meals will be distributed on Tuesdays and Thursdays in a timeframe ranging 2:30-4:00pm at all schools (where meals are prepared) for remote learners. The specific time frame will be determined by the school site.
  • You may pick up meals at your home site or other school location (for example; siblings going to different schools may pick up at one location)
  • If your home site serves breakfast, each student receives the following:
    • Tuesday: 2 Breakfasts and 2 Lunches
    • Thursday: 3 Breakfasts and 3 Lunches
  • If your home site only serves lunch, each student receives the following:
    • Tuesday: 2 Lunches
    • Thursday: 3 Lunches
  • Meals will be distributed at a designated outdoor location at the school
  • Parents and Guardians may pick up meals for their family members


What does this mean for children in the Denver Public Schools area?

Denver Public Schools is providing free weekday breakfast and lunch for children at pickup and delivery sites throughout the city, regardless of free and reduced meal eligibility.  However, it is important for all families to complete an application for meal benefits as the district receives federal funds regardless of whether they eat school meals or not. In addition, students who qualify for free and reduced meals will continue receive these meal benefits after the USDA extension expires.

Meal Pick Up

  • Denver Public Schools is distributing DPS student breakfast and lunch meals at multiple sites throughout the district (most schools). Pick up sites are open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. You can view the fall list of curbside pickup locations here
  • Meals can be picked up at any site – students do not have to attend the school at which they pick up their meals.

Meal Delivery

  • DPS also provides weekday meal delivery service to schools and community locations across the city. Yellow school buses will stop at each site for 20 minutes to hand out DPS student breakfast and lunch meals. You can view the fall bus route schedule here.
  • Breakfast and lunch meals are available at a small cost for adults ($3.00 breakfast and $4.50 lunch). 

Weekend meals are no longer available for pick up or delivery.

For more information, please visit the DPS Food Distribution page.