Summary
A new USDA rule will prohibit schools from charging transaction fees to low-income families depositing funds in student lunch accounts, effective in the 2027-2028 school year.
This change benefits students eligible for free or reduced-price meals, sparing families extra costs when adding money to accounts.
Advocates and lawmakers, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren, support the ban, calling it a victory against “greedy” fees.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack praised the move, stating that USDA aims to eliminate fees for all families and eventually provide free school meals to every child.
Yet again, grateful to live in California, where school breakfast and lunches are free to all students. Hands down, best use of my taxes (public libraries are a close #2).
One of those things where it was completely unacceptable to ever exist.
Way to do the bare minimum in three years.
Hang on, does this say “schools charge transaction fees when you pay for lunch online”??? As in, a parent puts $20 on their child’s tab for lunch and the school taxes it so the kid only gets $18? That’s wild.
Correct!
Thankfully my kids school will also just load it up from cash, so we drop a $20 in when needed. I make lunch every day, but if she is still hungry or wants a milk its there, and every Friday we let her get a dessert.
There are also fees to pay online for school trips, the book store, etc.
Yep! $2.25 for the “convenience” every transaction on the shady new app my school district picked this year. I’m supposed to be grateful they moved to an app this year that processes the payments quickly instead of the 1 school day lag the last app had.
Welcome to America. First time?
Well, I’m not American.
In Australia you either bring your own lunch or you bring cash for the school shop. If you have no lunch then the school feeds you from the shop and charges the parents later.
Yes, but you also don’t live in a country that you think was directly blessed by Jesus.
I cannot believe that’s even a thing. It’s bad enough they take my tax dollars and don’t feed the kids with it, but an online charge on top?! Bullshit
Go further and make healthy food free.
