IC schools hope to provide free lunches to students through end of year

Hunter
09/02/20

The Iowa City Community School District announced that they will serve free grab-and-go lunches to all students for the first week of in-school classes, and hopes to get a state waiver to keep the program running through the end of December.

During a board meeting Tuesday, Chief Operating Officer Chase Ramey said that the US Department of Agriculture is continuing waivers it used over the summer to provide the free meals. The Gazette reports that nearly a half million free meals were provided this summer.

Iowa City schools start September 8th, but will be online-exclusive due to a waiver approved by the Governor’s office. Once they move into the hybrid learning model on the 21st, on-site students will get a free hot lunch. Those learning from home can pick up a grab-and-go breakfast and lunch.

Meals will be served at Iowa City West, City High, Liberty High, Southeast Junior High, Northwest Junior High, and North Central Junior High.

At Tuesday’s board meeting, Ramey said the Department of Education remains optimistic that it will approve the waiver from the USDA and allow the free meal program to continue past the first week.