LEE COUNTY, Fla. -- Some public schools in Southwest Florida are returning to classes Monday after they were out last week due to Hurricane Irma, and the state is making sure students are well-fed during this recovery period.
The U.S. department of Agriculture announced this weekend that all students in affected disaster areas in Florida will now be able to enjoy free school meals provided by USDA's National School Lunch Program through Oct. 20.
No paperwork is necessary to receive the benefits. The USDA is helping to run this program as students return to class after Irma hit the region last week.
After Oct. 20, food service operations will return to normal.
“In times of disaster, it’s paramount that USDA makes it as easy as possible for our programs to be administered, so no one affected by this disaster goes hungry,” said USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue. “Florida is currently reporting shortages of certain food products, so these sensible and timely flexibilities will ensure children receive the assistance needed.”
All Students in the following counties can access free school meals through the National School Lunch Program from Sept.18 – Oct. 20, 2017:
- Charlotte
- Collier
- Hillsborough
- Lee
- Manatee
- Miami-Dade
- Monroe
- Pinellas
- Broward
- Palm Beach
- Glades
- Hendry
- Sarasota
- Clay
- Duval
- Flagler
- Putnam
- St. Johns
- Brevard
- Citrus
- DeSoto
- Hardee
- Hernando
- Highlands
- Indian River
- Lake
- Marion
- Martin
- Okeechobee
- Orange
- Osceola
- Pasco
- Polk
- St. Lucie
- Seminole
- Sumter
- Volusia
- Alachua
- Baker
- Bradford
- Columbia
- Dixie
- Gilchrist
- Lafayette
- Levy
- Nassau
- Suwannee
- Union
