Free lunch no more: Parents across North Texas prepare to pay as pandemic-era program ends

CADDO MILLS, Texas — Lunch is no longer free for all public faculty college students, after COVID-era waivers from the federal authorities expired. 

“Last year was free, which was a big blessing,” Kortney Sandoval, a Caddo Mills mother, advised WFAA.

Now that the program’s expired, Sandoval stated she’s taking a look at spending an additional $200 a month now on faculty meals for her two children.

With inflation, Sandoval stated, she’s feeling the pinch. 

And she and her husband make an excessive amount of to qualify for decreased value lunches, she advised WFAA.

“I’ve thought about getting a second job. I really don’t want to, because I already feel like as a mom with two kids and sports, and you know, working, already filled burnout,” she stated.

Sandoval stated she and her husband are advantageous financially, however would love to be extra comfy. 

“And I know we’re not the only people that feel like this,” she stated.

In a survey, WFAA requested dad and mom at dwelling in the event that they really feel financially prepared for the varsity 12 months: 49% stated sure, whereas 51% stated no or someplace within the center.

Over in Denton ISD, director of Child Nutrition Liz Raftrey advised WFAA that children won’t ever be turned away for a meal.

“I think there is a perception out there that that because we are going back to paid meals that if the students don’t have money they won’t be able to eat,” she stated.

“And in fact that’s not the case at all. We will not turn students away we will continue to feed students,” she added.

If children’ accounts dip into the negatives, she stated, the district will foot the invoice.

It typically receives some funding for that by way of non-public donations, she stated.