After four years, school lunches will no longer be free for all students in schools across Nevada.
Although free school lunches ended federally two years ago, the state of Nevada is still providing them for all students, thanks to the American Rescue Plan Act.
However, funding for that has run out, so meals are going back to full pay for many students.
Governor Joe Lombardo vetoed Nevada Assembly Bill 319 in the legislature last year, which would have extended the funding.
The Carson City School District said this will impact students greatly and they fear this will spark issues with food insecurity for many local families.
"I can't tell you how much it breaks my heart," said Elizabeth Martinez, Director of Nutrition Services for the Carson City School District. "These last four years have been a dream come true for anyone in my position because all we want to do is feed kids."
This will affect schools that aren't designated as Community Eligibility Provision sites.
At those schools, all students will still be able to eat for free.
For Carson, this will affect Carson High School, Eagle Valley Middle School, and Al Seeliger Elementary School.
Washoe County School District says they are working to see which schools will qualify for the CEP and say they will be communicating with families throughout the spring and summer on this change.
For all other students, parents must apply for a free or reduced status based on their income.
The deadline to do that in Carson City is May 24.
Parents must apply by the end of this school year, because if not, on the first day of school next year the setting will automatically default to full pay.
Parents are also given a 30-day grace period to apply next school year, if they already qualify for this year.
Applications are available at the front offices of schools, but Martinez says it's better to do them online.
Parents can check with local school district to see how they can apply.
For Carson City School District you can click the link below:
For Washoe County School District you can click the link below:
However, they haven't seen many applications so far.
"We're not receiving applications and it could be a number of reasons," Martinez said. "Stigma. Stigma is a big thing I never realized until I was in this position. Just how big the stigma of being poor is a problem."
Martinez says she does have hope that things can change.
She just got back from a legislative action conference where she spoke with five out of six representatives from Nevada.
She's hopeful they can get back to having free meals for all, but it's still in the works.
"Congressionally we are asking for easier access to community eligibility provision to be able to expand that for more schools or for them to fund meals for all flat out like they did during COVID," Martinez said.
Martinez also said parents can write or email letters to Congress or State Representatives for their concerns on free lunches ending.
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