Many Illinois families will need to reapply for school meal vouchers

A recent policy change affects students whose districts do not have universal free lunch.

By Lynnea Domienik
Many Illinois families will need to reapply for school meal vouchers
A student lunch of homemade pizza and caesar salad is placed on a tray at the Albert D. Lawton Intermediate School, in Essex Junction, Vt., Thursday, June 9, 2022. The pandemic-era federal aid that made school meals available for free to all public school students — regardless of family income levels — is ending, raising fears about the effects in the upcoming school year for families already struggling with rising food and fuel costs. (AP Photo/Lisa Rathke)
Many Illinois families will need to reapply for school meal vouchers
A student lunch of homemade pizza and caesar salad is placed on a tray at the Albert D. Lawton Intermediate School, in Essex Junction, Vt., Thursday, June 9, 2022. The pandemic-era federal aid that made school meals available for free to all public school students — regardless of family income levels — is ending, raising fears about the effects in the upcoming school year for families already struggling with rising food and fuel costs. (AP Photo/Lisa Rathke)

Many Illinois families will need to reapply for school meal vouchers

A recent policy change affects students whose districts do not have universal free lunch.

By Lynnea Domienik
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Lawmakers extended provisions that made school meals free to all students, regardless of income, by signing the Keep Kids Fed Act earlier this summer. But there were major changes, and now students in districts that don’t offer universal free lunch have to reapply to receive free meals, and students that only qualify for reduced meals will have to resume paying for breakfast and lunch.

Reset checks in with a consultant who helps administer federal nutrition programs in Illinois.

GUEST: Tim Murphy, principal consultant for the Illinois State Board of Education