Latest news with #ChildNutrition
CBS News
9 hours ago
- General
- CBS News
Denver Public Schools is helping make sure kids don't go hungry this summer
Denver Public Schools launched its Summer Food Service Program at dozens of schools across the city to make sure every child keeps hunger at bay while on summer break. Breakfast and lunch are free for all children, age 18 and younger, on weekdays. New to the program this year is food that is locally grown, which is featured in the meals. The Colorado Department of Education has 635 summer meal sites open statewide to provide meals free of charge to all youth ages 18 and younger. CBS "The kids are getting our normal school menu, but they're also getting farm-grown locally by Denver Public Schools produce that is added to the summer meals and breakfast," said DPS Summer Meals Engagement Coordinator Lindsey Long. According to DPS, "The Summer Meals Program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administered by the Colorado Department of Education's School Nutrition Unit in partnership with community-based program sponsors. Last year, program sponsors provided more than 1.9 million meals to Colorado youth." Denver Public Schools launched its "Summer Food Service Program" at dozens of schools across the city. CBS Meals are provided free of charge to anyone aged 18 and younger, no registration, identification, or proof of income or enrollment is required to enjoy a summer meal. The Colorado Department of Education says 635 summer meal sites are open statewide to provide meals free of charge to all youth ages 18 and younger. Visit to find a nearby meal site. Additional Information from Denver Public Schools: About the Summer Meals Program: • Meals are free to all kids and teens 18 years and younger. In rural locations, some meals may be taken home to eat. • Parents do not need to apply to the program for their children to get free summer meals. • Organizations that can administer the Summer Meals Program include schools, non-profit organizations, government entities, camps, universities, and community and faith-based organizations. • Parents and youth can find summer meal sites by visiting • Meals served follow USDA nutrition guidelines. About the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program: • Summer EBT provides $120 per eligible school-aged child to buy groceries. • Funds to purchase groceries are placed on EBT cards. • The program is led by the Colorado Department of Human Services with support from CDE. • To learn more about Summer EBT, visit
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Maine sues USDA over funding freeze
Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey (D) sued the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Monday over the agency's recent decision to withhold federal funds from the state over its refusal to comply with the Trump administration's orders to ban transgender athletes from girl's and women's sports in schools. The complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine alleges the USDA's funding freeze is 'blatantly unlawful' and hampers the state's ability to feed schoolchildren who rely on nutrition assistance programs. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, named in Monday's lawsuit, said in announcing the freeze on Wednesday that the action would affect funding only 'for certain administrative and technological functions in schools' and would not affect federal feeding programs. Rollins wrote in a letter to Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D), with whom President Trump has publicly clashed over the state's noncompliance with his executive order on transgender athletes, that the pause in funding 'is only the beginning.' The USDA did not immediately return a request for comment. Monday's lawsuit argues that, despite Rollins saying otherwise, the agency's funding freeze has impacted programs that feed children in the state. On Thursday, the day after Rollins sent her letter to Mills, the Child Nutrition program, housed within Maine's education department, 'was unable to access several sources of federal funds,' according to the lawsuit, including administrative funds that pay the salaries of individuals who run statewide initiatives like the Child and Adult Care Food Program, which provides meals for young children and at-risk kids outside school hours and adults in adult day care programs. Without those funds, 'providers will have to cease operations and children (and vulnerable adults) will not be fed,' according to the lawsuit. The complaint also claims that the USDA violated the Administrative Procedure Act by not formally informing Maine that it was not in compliance with Title IX, as Rollins alleged in her letter, before freezing federal funds. It also did not investigate, hold a hearing, make findings on the record or submit a report to Congress, violating the law. The lawsuit adds that Rollins 'provided no legal basis for her interpretation of Title IX, and her interpretation is wrong.' 'Indeed, several federal courts have held that Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause require schools to permit transgender girls and women to play on girls' and women's teams,' the complaint states. Last month, following investigations Mills has called 'politically directed,' the departments of Education and Health and Human Services found Maine to have violated Title IX, the federal law against sex discrimination that the Trump administration has interpreted to prohibit transgender athletes from female sports. The Education Department last week issued what it called a 'final warning' to Maine's state department of education before it turns the investigation over to the Justice Department. In a statement Monday, Frey said the administration is withholding funds that help feed children in Maine 'under the banner of keeping children safe.' 'This is just another example where no law or consequence appears to restrain the administration as it seeks capitulation to its lawlessness,' he said. 'The President and his cabinet secretaries do not make the law and they are not above the law, and this action is necessary to remind the President that Maine will not be bullied into violating the law.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
