MANASSAS, Va. (WJLA) — It’s a modern day take on the legendary tale. For this story, we’ll replace the red tape with red apples and instead of slings it’s sack lunches in “Danica versus Goliath”.
Delegate Danica Roem of Virginia’s 13th District took on the USDA and won a critical waiver for all states. The federal rule mandating students be present to get meals during the coronavirus pandemic is putting extra pressure on parents. A new waiver gives families much needed flexibility.
“We’ve been pushing for this change to happen and we got it done,” Roem told ABC7 reporter Victoria Sanchez.
Schools across the Washington D.C. metro area are trying to ease the burden of feeding students while classes are canceled with food pick-up sites on campuses. Many meals, including at Parkside Middle School in Manassas, are given out drive-thru style.
“This is a very, very big deal. For our folks on the front line who are serving our community every day, this has been a real hardship. When a family shows up and they don’t have their scholar with them, they are unable to provide that meal per federal regulations,” explained Adam Russo, director of the Office of School Food and Nutrition Services at Prince William County Public Schools.
Russo contacted Delegate Roem to find a solution.
“As soon as I heard about this, I was like, That’s just wrong. How can you force a child to show up here at a school site when they’re supposed to be staying at home in the first place?” said Roem.
The new federal waiver for all states means schools no longer have to say “no”.
“This is a very, very big deal. For our folks on the front line who are serving our community every day, this has been a real hardship. When a family shows up and they don’t have their scholar with them, they are unable to provide that meal per federal regulations,” said Russo.