NAZARETH, Pa. – All Pennsylvania students will be entitled to a free school breakfast starting next Monday, but at least one area school district says it won’t participate.
Nazareth School District doesn’t currently provide breakfast to its students except for meals to a local alternative school. Food Services Director Donna Garr said she’s concerned about implementing the state program to the entire student population.
- State's universal school free breakfast program starts Oct. 3rd
- Gov. Tom Wolf announced the state would use $21 million in surplus to reimburse school districts for meals
- School districts are still having supply chain issues related to the pandemic
“We have a rough time securing food, breakfast items, just for the Lehigh Learning Academy,” Garr said.
Gov. Tom Wolf announced a plan earlier month to provide a universal school free breakfast program for this academic year. The state will use $21 million to reimburse districts for the cost of the meals.
Garr said she also is having supply chain issues for the district’s lunch service.
“Things that are short or having manufacturing problems right now are chicken, pizza dough, peanut butter and jelly."
Food Services Director Donna Garr
The school district does not currently offer breakfast to students. Officials said they are concerned that most students won’t eat the breakfast because they get to school just before classes start.
All students in K-12th grade in public and charter schools are eligible for free breakfast. Private schools and daycare centers can also participate if they qualify under the National Free Lunch and Breakfast programs.