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Public school students are eligible for free breakfast and lunch during the pandemic under a program that expires in June.

The ability for all Hawaii public school students to receive free school meals during the pandemic could end at the end of the school year, potentially leaving thousands of children without access to nutritious food.

When the pandemic hit two years ago, the USDA, which runs the nation’s school meal program, lifted certain restrictions , allowing all children nationwide to receive free school meals. The easing of the rules was intended to help mitigate the impact of the pandemic on education, health and the economy.

The meal waivers also gave schools more flexibility, allowing them to provide things like grab-and-go meals and multiple meals on school campuses. The USDA also provided schools with a higher meal reimbursement rate to reduce financial costs.

But local child nutrition advocates are now on edge after the latest federal spending bill failed to extend those waivers into the next school year, removing funding for the program from the $1.5 trillion omnibus spending bill .

Unless Congress amends the bill, the waivers will expire at the end of the current school year for Hawaii’s 257 public schools.

Once the benefits end, families will have to go back to paying for meals, according to data from Hawaii Children Nutrition Programs. Many parents are struggling financially and will not be able to pay for their children’s meals.

Child nutrition advocates say this is especially concerning in a state that has one of the highest rates of food insecurity in the country.

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