Johnston County suspends meal distribution during pandemic while Wake expands its program
The Johnston County school system announced it was temporarily suspending its school meal distribution program, even as Wake County school leaders said Friday they’re expanding what they call “an essential service.”
School districts around the state have taken a second look at their programs following news this week that workers in Durham Public Schools and Lexington City Schools who distributed meals had tested positive for COVID-19.
Johnston County announced it will temporarily suspend service at its 13 school food service sites and each of its meal delivery locations beginning Wednesday.
“This difficult decision was made to protect the health and safety of the students, their families and our staff, and to provide the school nutrition department time to replenish supplies and train staff on additional safety protocols,” the Johnston County school system said in a statement Friday.
“After Spring Break which ends April 17, all factors will be reevaluated and meal services may resume, if feasible.”
Johnston County said the last day of service will be Tuesday, when students will receive multi-day meal bags and information regarding food resources from other community partners.
Durham Public Schools announced Thursday it was ending its meal distribution program amid the safety concerns, the News & Observer previously reported. The district said families can use other meal distribution programs and expanded state benefits.
Wake expanding meal distribution
In contrast, Wake County school leaders said Friday that they have no plans to end a program that they say some families are depending on “to survive through this pandemic.”
“We are providing a critical needed service, an essential service if you will, in supporting the vulnerable populations in our community,” Wake County Superintendent Moore said at a news conference Friday.
Before this week, school districts around the state have rushed to provide free meals to students while schools are closed during the coronavirus pandemic.
Deputy State Superintendent Beverly Emory said that 342,678 breakfasts, 356,571 lunches, 4,650 suppers and 10,342 snacks were served Wednesday at 1,131 sites set up by school districts across North Carolina.
On Friday, Wake County school board chairman Keith Sutton said they’re adding seven more big bus food truck sites next week in which school buses drive to locations around the community to distribute meals.
Moore, the Wake superintendent, said the district is now serving more than 21,000 meals a day at 34 sites. She said they’ve served more than 186,000 meals since March 17. The meals will continue next week, including on Good Friday, even while traditional-calendar schools are on spring break.
But Moore said Wake is taking safety precautions with the food distribution, including making sure that people who aren’t feeling well do not come to work.
“This is an essential service,” Moore said. “It is important that we continue to provide it for as long as we’re able to provide it while also making sure that we’re taking the steps for our community and our staff members to also be our safe.”
