Skip to main content
  • Heart Attack and Stroke Symptoms
  • Volunteer
  • Learn CPR
  • ShopHeart
American Heart Association heart and torch logo
American Heart Association
  • Donate Once
  • Donate Monthly
  • donateDonate
  • Close Menu

    Trending Search

    • find my cpr card
    • bls
    • ecard
    • find my acls card
    • acls
  • Healthy Living
  • Health Topics
  • Professionals
  • Get Involved
  • Ways to Give
  • About Us
  • Learn CPR
  • In Your Community
  • Heart Attack and Stroke Symptoms
  • Learn CPR
  • Volunteer
  • ShopHeart
  1. Home
  2. Around the AHA
  3. School meals continue during coronavirus closures

School meals continue during coronavirus closures

Although many public schools across the country are closing to help slow the spread of coronavirus, the federal government is working to safely continue providing the free meals students normally get at school.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture normally is required to serve meals in a group setting. However, that's not possible with school closures, with the situation further complicated by recommendations for social distancing.

Yet USDA rules also say that when schools are closed unexpectedly, they can tap into a summer meals program. That move gives permission to waive the group setting requirement through June 30.

"If schools are closed, we are going to do our very best to give you all the tools you need to get those kids fed," USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue said.

The USDA said that rules passed in December 2018 benefit nearly 99,000 schools and institutions that feed 30 million children annually through USDA's school meal programs.

Two more proposals announced in January "put local school and summer food service operators back in the driver's seat of their programs, because they know their children best," the USDA wrote in a news release.


Last Reviewed: Mar 13, 2020

X formerly known as Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Email Print

Around the AHA

Around the AHA
  • A Century of Heart
  • What Actually Happened
  • What does the sugar in beverages do to your body?
  • Supporting heart health, one dish at a time
  • Singer Amy Grant reflects on rare heart condition that could have killed her
  • The Bugher Foundation has provided valuable funds, ideas to support AHA research, researchers

*All health/medical information on this website has been reviewed and approved by the American Heart Association, based on scientific research and American Heart Association guidelines. Find more information on our content editorial process.

American Heart Association

National Center
7272 Greenville Ave.
Dallas, TX 75231

Customer Service
1-800-AHA-USA-1
1-800-242-8721

Contact Us

Hours
Monday - Friday: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. CT 
Saturday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. CT
Closed on Sundays

Tax Identification Number
13-5613797

About Us

  • About the AHA/ASA
  • Our Impact
  • Annual Report
  • AHA Financial Information
  • International Programs
  • Latest Heart and Stroke News
  • AHA/ASA Media Newsroom
  • Careers

Get Involved

  • Donate Now
  • Make a Memorial Gift
  • Ways to Give
  • Advocate
  • Volunteer
  • Go Red For Women
  • ShopHeart
  • ShopCPR

Our Sites

  • American Heart Association
  • American Stroke Association
  • CPR & ECC
  • Professional Heart Daily
  • More Sites
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • X formerly known as Twitter
  • Tik Tok
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • National Health Council Standards of Excellence Certification Program page for Standards of Excellence
  • Better Business Bureau page for American Heart Association
  • Charity Navigator Home
  • Secured by Sectigo page for SSL certificates
  • AHA Careers
  • Privacy Policy
  • Medical Advice Disclaimer
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Copyright Policy
  • Ethics Policy
  • Conflict of Interest Policy
  • Linking Policy
  • Whistleblower Policy
  • Content Editorial Guidelines
  • Suppliers & Providers
  • State Fundraising Notices


©2025 American Heart Association, Inc. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use prohibited.
The American Heart Association is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
*Red Dress ™ DHHS, Go Red ™ AHA ; National Wear Red Day® is a registered trademark.

×
American Heart Association logo

This link is provided for convenience only and is not an endorsement of either the linked-to entity or any product or service.

Proceed