MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WTVF) — A nationwide waiver adopted by the United States Department of Agriculture will allow students in Rutherford County to not pay for breakfast or lunch until further notice.
The waiver goes into effect Wednesday, Sept. 2, for Rutherford County students, said Eric Smith, RCS School Nutrition director.
Smith said the program will operate similarly to the summer food program. All students 18 or under (with the exception of special education students who over 18 and can also use the program) will be able to eat a standard breakfast and lunch for free until further notice. A la carte items are not included in the free meal program.
For those who are distance-learning, they no longer have to pick up the meals at the school where their child is registered. Parents will need to contact the school they want to pick up the meals from.
They can receive up to seven days’ worth of meals, including food for Saturday and Sunday.
Parents are strongly encouraged to continue filling out applications for Federal Free and Reduced Lunch program if they qualify because the program will still be needed once the USDA waiver ends.
