USDA Approves Flexibilities to Virginia School Meal Service in Response to Coronavirus

Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved Virginia’s request to add flexibilities to school meal service during school closures in response to the coronavirus:

“I appreciate USDA granting Virginia schools flexibility with school meal service. This will allow students who rely on school lunches to continue doing so while minimizing potential exposure to the coronavirus.”

Background

The National School Lunch Act requires “congregate feeding,” or USDA-supported meals to be served in a group setting. USDA’s waiver to Virginia suspends this requirement until June 30, 2020 or the expiration of the federally declared public health emergency.