The Dallas, Denton, Garland, and Richardson school districts will provide free meals due to an updated guidance issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Parents are not required to fill out an application for their child to receive free meals. In the past, a family's income determined whether children qualified for free or reduced-cost meals.
Each school will offer breakfast and lunch that meet the requirements of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the state department.
"We are very grateful to the USDA for extending the free meal benefit for all students for the 2021-2022 school year," said Liz Raftery, the Denton ISD director of Child Nutrition. "This will ensure all Denton ISD students will have access to nutritious meals and be ready to learn daily."
According to school officials, income eligibility will most likely resume next year.
Food insecurity has risen in the U.S. since the pandemic started, according to Feeding America. A study by the nonprofit found that about 17 million children were expected to face food insecurity in 2020.
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