PALM SPRINGS (CNS) - The Palm Springs Unified School District will be offering free meals to all students for at least the next four school years, district officials announced today.
Beginning in the 2018-19 school year, breakfast and lunch will be served at no charge to all PSUSD enrolled students at all district school sites. District officials said the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Community Eligibility Provision allows the district to provide ``a non-pricing meal option for school districts in low-income areas.”
Applications are not needed to take advantage of the program and the district is reimbursed based on the portion of students who are eligible for free meals, based on their participation in programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, according to the USDA.
``The Board of Education is excited about expanding the school nutrition program to include all of our students,” Board President James Williamson said. ``A child who is hungry cannot learn. The district is committed to doing anything we can to ensure a supportive learning environment.”
Those interested in signing up must fill out an annual ``education benefit form,” which can be found and completed online at https://benefitform.psusd.us .