School meal access back in spotlight following latest COVID disruption

<p>(Minnesota News Connection) - January saw some Minnesota schools move back to distance learning because of COVID-19 cases. Families struggling to find their kids meals in these scenarios are urged to use available aid, while policymakers face pressure to remove food barriers beyond the crisis.<br> <br> States like Minnesota opted to carry out an extra form of federal relief for when schools shift to remote learning. <a href="https://www.hungersolutions.org/2022/01/06/p-ebt-for-2021-2022/" target="_blank">Households can receive Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer cards</a>, which are loaded with a certain amount of money for each day a child is forced to stay home.<br> <br> Bukata Hayes - vice president of racial and health equity for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota - said even when it's just temporary, lack of access has a big impact.<br> <br> "The notion that students who are hungry prior to engaging in learning see, if you will, diminished academic outcomes compared to those who have access to nutritional meals," said Hayes.<br> <br> The federal government is still providing free meals to all students when they're in school. But that expanded program expires this summer, renewing calls for permanent universal free meals.<br> <br> Some states have either adopted such plans or are debating them, and there's <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/1530/text?r=7&amp;s=1" target="_blank">legislation in the U.S. Senate</a>. Opponents generally cite cost concerns and worry it will reach some who don't need it, but supporters say it removes stigma while reducing administrative burdens.<br> <br> Hayes said most importantly it helps to address long-standing health inequities in states like Minnesota, while ensuring a level of certainty for kids in families dealing with multiple struggles.<br> <br> "If I do know that at 8:00 the next morning, or 7:30 the next morning and 11:30 the next day that I do have that," said Hayes, "that removes one anxiety. "<br> <br> And Hayes said meals will be