The U.S. Department of Agriculture has extended Child Nutrition Program waivers through 2022.

The program will continue to reimburse schools and childcare centers for free meals to all students regardless of their income. Several Kansas school districts, including USD 445 Coffeyville, are currently opted-in to the program. According to Feeding America, one in four Kansas kids is food insecure.

Two bills have been introduced into Congress in the House by Rep. Ilhan Omar, which has 52 co-sponsors, and in the Senate by Sen. Bernie Sanders, which has 12 co-sponsors, to make free lunches in schools permanent across the country.