The Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) continued its 2020 free meals program well through 2021.
The Grab-and-Go school meals program at Big Island schools started in 2020 was extended and ran through the school year ending on May 28, 2021.
The program provides meals free of charge to children ages 18 and younger, regardless of whether they were enrolled at the school they picked up meals from, were public school students or whether they were participating in the free or reduced-price lunch program.
"We are excited to be starting up this program again, as it proved extremely successful over the summer, and we know it helps to fill a critical need in our communities," Deputy Superintendent Phyllis Unebasami said last year, according to the HIDOE.
Social distancing and masking practices were in place at all times, and lunches were placed in go-go containers for pickup, allowing for minimal interaction between students and serving staff.
"Consistent daily nutrition is so important for the continued growth and development of our keiki, especially during these challenging times," Unebasami added. "We encourage parents to keep their keikis' health a priority and to visit the nearest participating school for pickups."
Meals were handed out at lunchtimes Monday through Friday, and each eligible child received one free lunch for the day and one breakfast for the following day.
This program was made possible through U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funding. More than 200 Big Island public schools participated in the program.
The HIDOE provided over 1.3 million free grab-and-go breakfasts and lunches at nearly 80 public schools and community locations from March 23 through July 17, 2020.
Hawaii schools will resume classes on Tuesday, Aug. 3, and will still require that all K-12 students and staff wear masks on campus, regardless of whether they are vaccinated, Honolulu Civil Beat reported. The Hawaii State Teachers Association asserts that due to the uncertainty of determining who is vaccinated and who isn't, maintaining uniform requirements for all students and staff would be the most effective way to meet Centers for Disease Control and Prevention safety guidelines.
The free school breakfast and lunch program will be continued into the next school year, 2021-2022, according to a report by KHON2.