Summer meals will shift from take-out to on-premises when USDA pandemic waivers end

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Take-out summer meals have become more available during the pandemic, but families with children who rely on them should be aware of some upcoming changes.

Officials say the end of the pandemic will lead the USDA to reinstate on-site dining requirements.

In the spring of 2020, we’ve all found new ways of doing things – with distance.

This includes summer programs that fill young bellies with nutritious meals from the Oklahoma Regional Food Bank.

“The USDA, before the pandemic, required that summer meals be eaten by children on the premises where they were served,” said Cathy Nestlen of the Oklahoma Regional Food Bank.

But in light of the spread of COVID-19, waivers have been put in place to allow for social distancing.

“We did a lot of take-out, drive-thrus, it didn’t have to be the child picking up the meals, it could be the parent or the caregiver,” Nestlen said.

More sites were available for these take-out services and more children were served.

However, as the pandemic begins to subside, the end of this way of providing meals is in sight.

The food bank expects the original on-site dining requirements to be renewed for this summer.

“We would like these waivers to be permanent and we’re certainly advocating for that, but at this point we don’t see any signs from the USDA that these waivers will remain in place,” Nestlen said.

So the Oklahoma Regional Food Bank wants families to know that their young ones will need to eat where they get their food — and they’re asking sites that can step in to help.

“We look at nonprofits and churches, libraries, parks and recreation. departments that may already have summer programs and activities for children,” Nestlen said.

Above all, they hope for access for all children in need.

“They’re growing, they need to thrive, and the summer feeding program is so important,” Nestlen said.

Sites must be located near or in a school with at least 50% of children receiving free or reduced price lunches.

If you have a site that you think would work for the Summer Meals Program, visit the Regional Food Bank website to apply.