Some Valley school districts cutting back student meal programs

PHOENIX – Valley districts have continued meal programs for students despite the school year ending early in response to the coronavirus outbreak, but some are altering or reducing the services.

The programs, which vary by district, have allowed low-income kids to continue picking up regular nutritious meals, in some cases at a reduced rate or for free.

Mesa Public Schools, the state’s largest district, has been serving “grab and go” breakfast and lunch from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. daily for all children ages 18 and under, but next week the service will be reduced to Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Here are some other large metro Phoenix districts that have announced changes to their meal service:

• The Scottsdale Unified School District is reducing its free meal program next week from daily to once a week, Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., at select schools.
• The Deer Valley Unified School District will change its food distribution next week to Mondays, when students can pick up breakfast and lunch for three days, and Thursdays, when two days of breakfast and lunch will be available.
• The Chandler Unified School District, which provides free meals with to kids 18 and under with no paperwork, changed its curbside service last week to Mondays (two meals), Wednesdays (two meals) and Fridays.

Parents should check with their children’s districts for details about meal plans and any changes being made.

Through a service provided by the No Kid Hungry national nonprofit organization, parents can also text “FOOD” — or “COMIDA” for Spanish — to 877-877 to get information about nearby locations where free meals are available for students.

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