The Burlington County Institute of Technology and Burlington County Special Services School District will continue to offer eligible students free and reduced-price breakfasts and lunches regardless of how long the federal government shutdown lasts.
Assemblywoman Andrea Katz (LD8) sent a letter to the combined BCIT/Burlington County Special Services School District school board advocating for them to ensure that free and reduced lunches continue uninterrupted. She said the White House and U.S. Department of Agriculture’s decision to suspend Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits prompted her contact the school district. Her correspondence precipitated action by the BCIT/Special Services School District board to guarantee the meal program is not suspended.
The Burlington County Commissioners and officials from both county school districts announced the free meals policy Wednesday after the combined BCIT/Burlington County Special Services School District Board of Education voted on a resolution affirming that eligible students would continue to receive the weekday meals even if the shutdown results in an interruption or delay in federal reimbursement.
The resolution authorizes the Business Administrators for both school districts to allocate sufficient funding to cover the program costs through the remainder of the 2025-26 school year if necessary.
There is a significant need for food assistance in Burlington County. Around 1,050 students at BCIT and another 250 enrolled at Burlington County Special Services School District are currently eligible to receive free or reduced meals, according to school district officials. More than 24,000 Burlington County residents are currently enrolled to receive SNAP benefits.
“I am writing to ensure that the Burlington County Special Services School District, as well as the Burlington County Institute of Technology, has a plan in place to continue providing free and reduced-price lunches for all eligible students in light of the current government shutdown and the USDA suspension of SNAP benefits beginning November 1st,” Assemblywoman Katz wrote in her letter. “No student should experience a lapse in access to meals. These programs are essential to the health and stability of many families across Burlington County, and I have every confidence that your district -- consistent with its long record of putting students first – will take the necessary steps to ensure meal service continues uninterrupted.”
Following the vote, Katz said she hoped additional school districts would follow BCIT and Special Services School District’s lead.
“Thousands of Burlington County families will soon be without SNAP benefits, and there are concerns that many of those same families could be impacted by an interruption in free school meals,” said Assemblywoman Katz. “Families need to know that they can continue to rely on school lunches and breakfasts, so I’m grateful BCIT and Burlington County Special Services School District were willing to take action to guarantee students will continue to receive this benefit no matter how long the shutdown lasts.”
Burlington County Commissioner Deputy Director Allison Eckel said the Commissioners also support the school board’s action.
“Adequate nutrition is essential to student success, and no child should be denied access to a nutritious breakfast and lunch at school because of the ongoing dispute in Washington,” said Commissioner Eckel, the liaison to Burlington County schools. “We applaud BCIT and Special Services leadership for protecting students and families with this action. We hope other school districts across the county and state will follow their lead.”
BCIT/Special Services School District BOE President Odise Carr said the board’s action reflects the school district’s commitment to students and their families.
“Putting our students first is what we’re about,” Carr said. “Our kids should never have to worry about where their next meal will come from, especially while at school.”