KISD rolls on with grab-and-go meal program for fall semester

By R. Hans Miller | News Editor
Posted 8/24/20

Katy ISD will continue to provide grab and go meals to students this fall, similarly to how they delivered food to students during the spring semester as the COVID-19 pandemic forced schools to go …

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KISD rolls on with grab-and-go meal program for fall semester

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Katy ISD will continue to provide grab and go meals to students this fall, similarly to how they delivered food to students during the spring semester as the COVID-19 pandemic forced schools to go virtual. For many local students facing poverty, especially as unemployment remains high throughout the district’s boundaries, free or reduced-cost lunches are important to ensure children do not face food insecurity and go hungry.

“For the 2020-21 school year, the program will look a little different from the summer meal distribution,” said Donna Pittenger, executive director of Nutrition and Food Service.  “Even though students are learning virtually, it is the district’s goal to ensure that they are eating a nutritious meal and staying healthy.”

For those not on the free or reduced cost lunch programs, breakfasts will cost $1.25, elementary lunches $2.25 and secondary school lunches $2.75. Those costs are reduced by 30 cents for breakfast and 40 cents for all other meals for students who qualify for reduced-cost lunches. Those who qualify for free lunches will not be charged.

In order to reduce the spread of germs, including the novel coronavirus, parents are encouraged to pay for their children’s lunches through the Katy ISD Pay N’ Go app. The app also offers an online portal that can be reached at https://katyisd.revtrak.net/.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service, which runs the free and reduced lunch programs, students are eligible for reduced cost lunches if household income – for a family of five – is $56,758 or below annually. For free lunches, students in a family of five would need an annual household income of $39,884. Parents who believe their families may qualify for the program can apply through the district’s School Café website at www.schoolcafe.com/katyisd.

The School Café system allows parents to set purchase restrictions, establish low balance alerts, view letters and menus as well as apply for meal assistance.

KISD’s statement said that parents and students picking up meals should have a student ID or proof of enrollment – including relevant student ID numbers – in order to receive meals.

The policies allowing the district to proceed with grab and go meal delivery such as this were approved in June by the USDA in order to accommodate good nutrition for students during the pandemic.

“USDA has been extremely aggressive in expanding flexibilities to ensure Americans who have been impacted by the coronavirus continue to receive the food they need for themselves and their families,” said USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue at the time.

Katy ISD, USDA, KISD, school lunch, student