Every St. Lucie Public School (SLPS) student, regardless of previous lunch eligibility status, has the option to receive a free breakfast and lunch each day they attend school from September 18 through October 20, 2017. This, according to St. Lucie Public Schools Child Nutrition Services Director Deborah Wuest, is to accommodate displaced Floridians and resume operations in the wake of Hurricane Irma.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Food, Nutrition and Wellness is working with USDA child nutrition programs such as the one in SLPS with information and support during recovery efforts. St. Lucie was one of 37 counties named to receive benefits of free meals.
“No additional paperwork needs to be filled out,” said Wuest. “We just want to ensure that every child has the opportunity to receive nutritional meals as families and communities rebuild.”
After October 20, food service operations will return to normal.