Vernon's School Meal Plan Forging Ahead, Despite Fed Shutdown: Superintendent

VERNON, CT — No child eligible for the Vernon Public Schools free and reduced meal program is in danger of losing out on food, despite the federal government shutdown impacting the state's low-income nutrition program, Superintendent of Schools Joseph Macary said Friday.

The assurance comes a day before federal funds are to be cut off for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, designed to provide food assistance for low-incomes families. It has sent many local families into a panic over school programs, Macary said.

"We're cognizant of what happened and we want to assure that, even tough a family might not have access to SNAP benefits, the children in the free and reduced meal program can still get breakfast and lunch at the schools," he said.

Elizabeth Fisher, the director of food and nutrition services for the local school system, sent out a letter to families Friday.

It read:

"During this time, we recognize that some families and members of our community may be experiencing financial difficulty due to changes in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits or the ongoing federal government shutdown.

"We would like to remind you that all schools in our district offer breakfast and lunch every day as part of the school day. Our free and reduced-price meal program will continue without interruption.
Families that are eligible for SNAP benefits and receive free meals through school will continue to
receive those benefits.

"If you do not receive SNAP benefits, but think you would qualify for free or
reduced-price meals based on your income level, we encourage you to apply at any time:
Chick on: https://www.vernonpublicschool...

"There are several resources in the Town of Vernon where families can access free food. Please see the attached flyer for more information and details. If you have questions regarding the school meal program, please contact the Food & Nutrition Services Department at 860-896-4682. If you have questions or concerns regarding access to food for your family, you may reach out to your school social worker."

Here is the flyer:

The SNAP food program effect is widespread.

Gov. Ned Lamont this week announced that his administration is providing $3 million in emergency state funding to the nonprofit organization Connecticut Foodshare to help Connecticut residents who are expected to lose access to food stamp benefits during the federal shutdown.

The Trump administration, through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, announced in a memo last week that it will not use its $6 billion contingency fund to support this program during the shutdown, nor will it reimburse states if they cover the costs themselves.

That means, Lamont said, that effective Nov. 1, no new SNAP benefits will be distributed, impacting roughly 42 million low-income Americans, including 360,000 Connecticut residents. While Connecticut residents who have unused SNAP benefits from previous months on their EBT cards will still be able to access those carryover funds, no new benefits will be issued in November without federal action, he said.

"Connecticut families should not go hungry because of Washington’s dysfunction," Lamont said. "While this $3 million in emergency funding will not fill the entire gap left by the federal government, it represents our state’s commitment to supporting our neighbors during this crisis. We are stepping up because Connecticut takes care of its own, and we will continue working to support our residents until this federal shutdown is resolved."

Local food pantries are experiencing a high volume of need.

In Connecticut, SNAP is administered by the Connecticut Department of Social Services.