NORFOLK - Starting September 21st, Norfolk Public Schools will serve all breakfast and lunches at no cost to all students through 2020.

The USDA extended their waivers through December 31st of this year which allows the school district to offer breakfast and lunches to all students at no cost while providing the district 100% reimbursement for its cost associated with production and serving.

A few key points:

? This waiver program is the same program that provided “Grab N Go” meals throughout the summer months. The waivers that have been extended by the USDA allow districts to go back to Sept. 1st and claim all breakfast and lunches served. NPS will be crediting all meals that were paid at full price or reduced price back to each student’s accounts in the date range of Sept. 1st through Sept. 18th. Meals served during the month of August do not qualify and thus cannot be credited back.

? The district will maintain the dollars on student accounts throughout the remainder of the school year, no payouts will be made on current account balances. If a student chooses to purchase an extra entree or ala carte item those items would be charged to a student's account and are not covered by waiver extension.

? The waiver program allows NPS to offer the no-charge meals through December 31, 2020. Starting in January 2021, the regular pricing would resume and meals will be charged to student accounts.

? All current procedures the district has in place for breakfast and lunch will stay the same.

? Weekend take-home meals may also be an option based on potential need. NPS has emailed a survey link to all student families asking for input regarding the interest in weekend meals. If this option is offered, the weekend take-home meals will start the week ending October 9, 2020.

Dr. Bill Robinson, Associate Superintendent says “Norfolk Public Schools feels that this waiver extension is a definite positive during these uncertain times. We are very grateful to have this option available to our student households, and sincerely hope that it provides some economic support for everyone.”