Detroit Schools Seek Expanded Meal Access for Students
In a bid to ensure that students have greater access to nutritious meals, the Detroit Public Schools Community District board is advocating for changes to the current meal programs. Board Secretary Ida Simmons Short has proposed modifications to Michigan’s Afterschool Snack Program that would allow students to receive evening meals, even if they are not enrolled in after-school care.
To implement these changes, the Detroit School Board has requested waivers from the Michigan Department of Education. However, the state education department has clarified that the authority to make changes to the nutrition assistance program rests with the federal government.
Despite making a request to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a waiver to allow snacks to be sent home, the state education department’s request was denied.
The district’s Office of School Nutrition stated its commitment to continue providing meals to help alleviate food insecurity and reduce financial stress for families.
Detroit Superintendent Nikolai Vitti announced that the district will provide free meals—including breakfast, lunch, and dinner—at select schools to ensure that every child in the Detroit community receives necessary nourishment.
The push for expanded federal support for Detroit’s school nutrition program follows a period of uncertainty regarding SNAP benefits, as the Trump administration opted not to use contingency funds during the federal government shutdown.
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