Oklahoma got the green light to provide two free meals a day to students across the state.
A waiver approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture will let all school districts offer free meals rather than just those where at least half of students are eligible for free and reduced-price lunches. USDA approval comes after the Oklahoma State Board of Education approved closing schools for the rest of the school year, requiring districts to move to distance learning plans.
"Amid such uncertainty and instability, we should not be asking our families or schools to worry over needless red tape," said State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister. "This waiver means that, following a simple application, any district in the state can establish feeding sites for up to two free meals a day for every student who needs one."
The waiver is in effect through June but could be extended along with the federally declared public health emergency for COVID-19.
