Public schools in Palm Beach and the Treasure Coast will be returning to class Monday after they were out last week due to Hurricane Irma.
All students in the 48 Florida counties affected by Hurricane Irma will now be able to enjoy free school meals provided by USDA's National School Lunch Program through Oct. 20.
No paperwork is necessary to receive the benefits. The USDA is helping to run this program as students return to class after Irma hit the region last wee.
All students in the following counties can access free school meals through the National School Lunch Program from Sept.18 – Oct. 20, 2017: Charlotte, Collier, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Pinellas, Broward, Palm Beach, Glades, Hendry, Sarasota, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns, Brevard, Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Indian River, Lake, Marion, Martin, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Polk, St. Lucie, Seminole, Sumter, Volusia, Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Lafayette, Levy, Nassau, Suwannee and Union.
“We just want to ensure that every child has the opportunity to receive nutritional meals as families and communities rebuild,” said St. Lucie Public Schools Child Nutrition Services Director Deborah Wuest.
After Oct. 20, food service operations will return to normal.
“In times of disaster, it’s paramount that USDA makes it as easy as possible for our programs to be administered, so no one affected by this disaster goes hungry,” said USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue. “Florida is currently reporting shortages of certain food products, so these sensible and timely flexibilities will ensure children receive the assistance needed.”