GLEN ROCK, NJ – U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) wrote a letter to school superintendents requesting information about their plans to distribute meals safely to school breakfast and lunch eligible children during the coronavirus pandemic to Fifth District students learning in-person and remotely.

“As students and families face this public health and economic crisis, many are also facing growing food insecurity. As you know, many students rely on school breakfasts and lunches, including the more than five hundred thousand children in New Jersey who are eligible for free and reduced breakfast and lunch,” wrote Congressman Josh Gottheimer. “I know that you have worked hard to ensure that students and families continued to receive meals throughout the spring and summer. I also know you have worked diligently to create strategies to protect students, educators, and staff in preparation for school to start in the fall.”

Gottheimer requested that school superintendents address the following concerns:

 • How will you safely distribute school and lunch breakfasts to students learning in-person?

 • How will you continue to safely distribute meals to students learning remotely?

Gottheimer voted for the bipartisan Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (P.L. 116-136), which provided $8.8 billion for child nutrition programs, including school meal programs.

The Heroes Act, which Gottheimer also voted for, passed the House on May 15, 2020, includes an additional $3 billion for child nutrition programs.

The full text of the letter is below:

Thank you for your commitment to providing students with a quality education under the extraordinary circumstances caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Unfortunately, as students and families face this public health and economic crisis, many are also facing growing food insecurity. As you know, many students rely on school breakfasts and lunches, including the more than five hundred thousand students in New Jersey who are eligible for free and reduced-price meals.

I was proud to vote for the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (P.L. 116-136), which provided $8.8 billion for child nutrition programs, including school meal programs. The Heroes Act, which I voted for when it passed the House on May 15, 2020, includes an additional $3 billion for child nutrition programs. I believe these resources are necessary to help schools cover the increased costs of preparing and distributing meals, packaging supplies, and protecting staff and students. In Congress, I will continue to fight to ensure schools are able to meet the nutritional needs of students.

I know that you have worked hard to ensure that students and families continued to receive meals throughout the spring and summer. I also know you have worked diligently to create strategies to protect students, educators, and staff in preparation for school to start in the fall. As the school year quickly approaches and presents new challenges, I would like to know your plans to address the following:

• How will you safely distribute meals to students learning in-person?

• How will you continue to safely distribute meals to students learning remotely?

I appreciate your dedication to the well-being of students, educators, and the North Jersey community. I look forward to working with you as we continue to address this crisis.

Sincerely,

Josh Gottheimer

MEMBER OF CONGRESS

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