USDA to Eliminate School Lunch Fees for Low-Income Families by 2027

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that starting in the 2027-2028 school year, students eligible for free or reduced-price school meals will no longer be charged processing fees, which can significantly increase costs for low-income families. This decision follows a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau report highlighting the financial burden these fees place on families, with some paying up to 60 cents per dollar in fees. The USDA aims to reduce costs for families earning under 185% of federal poverty guidelines and is working towards providing free healthy school meals for all children.