GCPS Receives USDA Waiver Extension

Press release from Gwinnett County Public Schools:

October 15, 2020

GCPS receives USDA waiver extension

Free meals extended through end of school year

October 15, 2020

Thanks to USDA waiver extensions issued on October 9, Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) is able to offer both breakfast and lunch on school days to all Gwinnett children, ages 18 and younger, at no charge through the end of the school year, including children who are not school-aged and children who are not GCPS students. (Note that GCPS does not provide meals on weekends or on scheduled student holidays.)

These meals are provided at no cost to the individual through the federal School Nutrition Program. How are meals distributed?

• Students Attending School In-Person
  Those attending school in-person receive meals free-of-charge during their school’s scheduled meal times.

• Curbside Pick-up for Digital Learners
  Digital learners may pick up meals through the curbside pick-up programs at each school, Monday through Friday, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Families should check with their local school for specific curbside pick-up times and the location of the pick-up program. Individuals will not be allowed to enter the school to pick up or eat meals. (A list of the 132 schools offering curbside pick-up follows.)

• Curbside Pick-up for Others 18 Years of Age or Younger:
  In addition, as part of the Seamless Summer Option, curbside pick-up meals will be available at no charge to anyone 18 years of age or younger, even to children who are not a GCPS student. Please check with your local school for curbside pick-up times and the location of the pick-up program. Individuals will not be allowed to enter the school to pick up or eat meals.

Gwinnett County Public Schools encourages families who are eligible for the Free and Reduced-Price Meal Program to complete the annual application to ensure meal benefits continue when this waiver expires. Note that those eligible for free- and reduced-priced meals may be able to access other types of public assistance or services that may be available during this pandemic. The application is available on the GCPS website or at https://www.nlappscloud.com/.

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This press release was produced by Gwinnett County Public Schools. The views expressed here are the author’s own.