Michigan schools get $1 million to bolster school meal programs

The Michigan Division of Schooling is getting almost $1 million in federal cash to assist fund meals for college kids, and pay for the employees and gear wanted for these applications.

The U.S. Division of Agriculture introduced Tuesday, Could 17, it awarded Michigan $992,494 to assist construct and retain its college vitamin workforce, implement requirements for the nationwide college lunch and breakfast applications and increase partnerships with farmers and producers to offer faculties extra regionally grown meals.

“Faculty meals are a confirmed method to enhancing vitamin safety,” USDA Meals and Diet Service (FNS) Administrator Cindy Lengthy mentioned within the announcement. “Analysis exhibits that they’re essentially the most nutritious meals most kids obtain within the day.”

From these vitamin coaching grants, MDE will award sub-grants to native college authorities for “provides for meals demonstrations and tastings, small kitchen gear and cafeteria signage and the manufacturing and printing of training supplies,” the USDA mentioned.

“This funding will present assist for the devoted and dedicated college vitamin workforce in Michigan to make sure faculties within the state can serve meals that aren’t solely nutritious however that youngsters will take pleasure in,” FNS Midwest Regional Administrator Vista Fletcher mentioned.

MDE is one in every of eight state companies throughout the nation and one in every of three within the Midwest which have obtained vitamin coaching grants. Cash given to Michigan, Alabama, Indiana, Minnesota, Virginia, Montana, North Dakota and Washington has totaled $7.1 million.

Because the COVID-19 pandemic began disrupting faculties and provide chains in 2020, college meals have been free to all college students no matter their household earnings. That coverage, nonetheless, depends on federal help that expires in June and has but to be renewed.

Within the absence of congressional help, free and reduced-cost meals will revert to being out there solely to college students who financially qualify, which officers fear will damage households who haven’t needed to price range for college meals for 2 years.

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