SENATE PRESIDENT KOUCHI, REPRESENTATIVE TOKIOKA ANNOUNCE EXTENSION OF DOE STUDENT MEALS PROGRAM ON KAUAʻI
USDA approves extension through August 31 if needed
Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi and Representative James Kunane Tokioka are happy to announce the extension of the state Department of Education’s Grab-and-Go breakfast and lunch program on Kauaʻi through July 17.
The program, which offers meals to children 18 years old and younger, regardless of their eligibility for free or reduced-price meals, ended today but will restart June 8 and extent through mid-July.
After discussions between Kouchi and Tokioka with Malama Kauaʻi, and DOE Kauaʻi Complex Superintendent Bill Arakaki, a request was sent to USDA Western Regional Office Administrator Jesus Mendoza Jr., asking for an additional extension of the student breakfast and lunch programs from the USDA that would potentially run through the end of August.
“It's great to see what we can accomplish when we work as a delegation side by side with our complex area supervisor Bill Arakaki and the DOE to extend the grab and go breakfast and lunch program that is critical to many of our families on Kauaʻi,” said Representative Tokioka. “The extension of these meals will put to ease some of the concerns for families to feed their keiki during the unforeseen pandemic.”
“I am grateful that the USDA granted our collaborative request to extend the DOE’s ‘Grab-and-Go' student breakfast and lunch meal program for Kauai through August 31, 2020. The continuation of the meal plan will go a long way to ease the burden on many families who are struggling to put food on the table during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said President Kouchi.
Kauaʻi District schools continuing the Grab-and-Go meal program include:
• Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School
• Kapaa High School
• Koloa Elementary School
• Waimea High School
• Kekaha Elementary School
Grab-and-Go sites will serve breakfast and lunch from 7:30 to 8 a.m. and lunch from 11:30 a.m. to noon weekdays, except holidays. Meal distribution is through walk-up and drive-thru lines. Dine-in options will not be available.
Children do not have to be enrolled at the school distribution site and do not have to be public school students. For special diet accommodations, email specialdiets@k12.hi.us