In a November 1st announcement, the USDA announced that families of students receiving free and reduced-price school meals will not be charged supplementary fees.
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack stated, “While today’s action to eliminate extra fees for lower income households is a major step in the right direction, the most equitable path forward is to offer every child access to healthy school meals at no cost. We will continue to work with Congress to move forward that goal, so that all kids have the nutrition they need to reach their full potential.”
Children from families with incomes under 185 percent of federal poverty guidelines will be eligible, representing approximately one million recipients for reduced-price meals. Ultimately the ban on junk fees will be extended to a total of 30 million children receiving school meals each day.
The action taken is in response to investigations by the Consumer Protection Financial Bureau that identified onerous charges in the form of ‘processing fees’ imposed by third party agencies. In some cases fees exceeded the cost of breakfasts and lunches. Fees will be capped at 30 cents and 40 cents respectively for these meals.