Free breakfast, lunch programs at schools to continue

HONOLULU — State Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi and state Rep. James Kunane Tokioka announced the extension of the state Department of Education’s grab-and-go breakfast and lunch program on Kaua‘i, through July 17.

The program, which offers meals to children 18 years old and younger regardless of their eligibility for free or reduced-price school meals, ended Friday, but will restart Monday, June 8, and extend through mid-July.

After discussions between Kouchi and Tokioka with Malama Kaua‘i and DOE Kaua‘i Complex Superintendent Bill Arakaki, a request was sent to U.S. Department of Agriculture Western Regional Office Administrator Jesus Mendoza Jr., asking for an additional extension of the student breakfast and lunch programs from the USDA that would potentially run through the end of August.

“It’s great to see what we can accomplish when we work as a delegation side by side with our Complex Area Superintendent Bill Arakaki and the DOE to extend the grab-and-go breakfast and lunch program that is critical to many of our families on Kaua‘i,” said Tokioka. “The extension of these meals will put to ease some of the concerns for families to feed their keiki during the unforeseen pandemic.”

“I am grateful that the USDA granted our collaborative request to extend the DOE’s grab-and-go student breakfast and lunch meal program for Kaua‘i through Aug. 31. The continuation of the meal plan will go a long way to ease the burden on many families who are struggling to put food on the table during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Kouchi.

Kaua‘i district schools continuing the grab-and-go meal program include: Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle, Kapa‘a High, Waimea High, and Koloa and Kekaha elementary schools.

Grab-and-go sites will serve breakfast and lunch from 7:30 to 8 a.m. and lunch from 11:30 a.m. to noon weekdays except holidays. Meal distribution is through walk-up and drive-thru lines. Dine-in options are not available.

Children do not have to be enrolled at the schools and do not have to be public-school students. For special diet accommodations, email specialdiets@k12.hi.us.
Source: The Garden Island