SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane Public Schools will continue providing free breakfast and lunch to students despite the ongoing federal government shutdown. District officials emphasized that schools remain an essential community hub and want families to know that no-cost meals will continue.
4 News Now reached out to Spokane Public Schools for comment. While the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program is partially funded by the federal government, district leaders said they do not expect any immediate impact on nutrition services.
According to the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), child nutrition reimbursement funds are considered “appropriated entitlements,” meaning schools are legally entitled to reimbursement for meals served during a shutdown. However, OSPI noted that actual payments could be delayed until Congress passes a funding bill.
“In the past, Child Nutrition Programs were included in the continuation of essential federal activities and funding to maintain the core programs of the nutrition safety net,” OSPI said.
The National School Lunch Program operates on a reimbursement basis, with schools submitting monthly claims to OSPI, which then reimburses districts with federal funds. OSPI confirmed it has received enough funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to continue reimbursements through the end of the calendar year.
“At this time, we do not anticipate any disruptions to school meals,” OSPI said.
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