School meal deficits: coalition urges USDA to release Section 32 funds
A coalition of school nutrition, education, anti-hunger, health and agriculture groups sent a sign-on letter on Oct. 16 asking USDA and OMB to immediately release Section 32 funds in child nutrition accounts as emergency relief. The letter cites USDA research showing school meal revenues covered only 81% of program expenses on average and that 35% of programs ran a deficit in SY 2023-24, nearly double the share two years earlier.
Why it matters for directors: Don't build next year's budget around relief that may not arrive; model meal-price, menu and staffing scenarios now, including the added cost of forthcoming meal standards.
Original source: School Nutrition Association ↗