Murphy – All Cherokee County students will continue to receive three meals a day – breakfast, lunch and Super Snack – at no cost to them through Dec. 31.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food & Nutrition Service extended nationwide waivers for the Summer Food Service Program and Seamless Summer Option through funding available due to the COVID-19 response.
Since March, Cherokee County Schools has served 165,596 breakfasts, 165,169 lunches and 17,544 Super Snacks through the Summer Food Service Program, said Jennifer Rayfield, school nutrition supervisor.
“We are truly grateful to the USDA for extending the emergency waivers that will allow us to continue serving children under the Summer Food Service Program,” Rayfield said. “During these uncertain and trying times, food security is not something that we want our students to have to worry about.”
Usually, only Community Eligibility Program schools get all three meals at no cost each school day, while the other schools in the county only get breakfast and Super Snack at no cost.
Once the waiver is no longer in place, Andrews Middle, Andrews High, Hiwassee Dam High, Murphy Middle, Murphy High and Tri-County Early College High school students will be charged for lunch only. Rayfield said students and families at those schools are encouraged to fill out the Free & Reduced application at lunchapplication.com to see if they qualify for a reduced or no cost meal.