FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Diane Pratt-Heavner
703-824-3024
media@schoolnutrition.org
SNA Statement on Federal Government Shutdown
2019-01-22
ARLINGTON, VA – The non-profit School Nutrition Association (SNA) is urging Congress and President Trump to resolve the federal government shutdown before any lapse in school meal funding occurs. Earlier this month, USDA confirmed that states were provided adequate funds to support school meal programs through the month of March.
Healthy school meals nourish nearly 30 million students each school day. Twenty-two million of these students rely on free or reduced price school meals as a key source of their daily nutrition. School meal programs depend on federal reimbursements to purchase food and supplies, pay school nutrition staff and fund daily operations.
“School meal programs operate on extremely tight budgets, and many lack reserve funds to continue serving students should federal funding lapse,” said SNA President Gay Anderson, SNS. “School districts – especially those serving America’s neediest students – are simply not equipped to cover meal expenses without federal support. Congress and President Trump must ensure students continue to receive the nutrition they need to succeed in school. SNA urges swift action to resolve the ongoing government shutdown.”
About School Nutrition Association:
The School Nutrition Association (SNA) is a national, non-profit professional organization representing 58,000 school nutrition professionals across the country. Founded in 1946, SNA and its members are dedicated to making healthy school meals and nutrition education available to all students. For more information on school meals, visit www.SchoolNutrition.org/SchoolMeals.
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