Meals are free at WWPS
By Terry Murry on Thursday, August 25th, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WALLA WALLA – Walla Walla Public Schools received confirmation this week from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction that it qualifies to offer free meals this year for all students under the federal Community Eligibility Provision program.
The Community Eligibility Provision permits all enrolled children in school districts where the free lunch population exceeds 40 percent to eat breakfast and lunch at no charge. Walla Walla Public Schools’ free rate is nearly 45 percent.
“The Community Eligibility Provision benefits all of our students by improving access and removing barriers to healthy and nutritious meals for all students,” WWPS Nutrition Services Director Pamela Milleson said.
Last year, Congress approved a waiver to provide free meals for every student in U.S. public schools, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That waiver expired June 30. Washington State responded with a solution. The legislature passed House Bill 1878, providing support to ensure the program would continue for all districts whose free lunch percentage exceeds 40 percent.
