Nevada implements 2-tier response to address school meal interruptions caused by closures

UPDATE: Carson City meal sites are expected to begin Tuesday, March 17, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Empire Elementary School, Mark Twain Elementary School, Seeliger Elementary School, and Carson High School.
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In light of Governor Sisolak’s announcement to close all K-12 schools in Nevada, the Nevada Department of Agriculture is implementing the first of a two-tier strategy to mitigate National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program interruptions.

Programs used to serve school children during the summer months will be used to provide food while schools are closed in response to the threat of COVID-19 (coronavirus). The food, which will still meet federal nutrition standards, will be served in a grab-and-go style to minimize contamination potential and avoid delays.

“We understand the importance of preventative closures to protect students, faculty and members of the community, and we are doing everything we can to help minimize the impact to students and families that rely on school meals and ensure they have access to nutritious meals,” NDA Director Jennifer Ott said. “We are strongly urging all meal site sponsors to practice social distancing by using drive-thru service where possible and by requiring six feet of space between all individuals, should lines start to form.”

If widespread school closures result in reduced capacity of school central kitchens to provide grab-and-go meals, the second-tier strategy uses USDA Foods through the Emergency Food Assistance program (TEFAP). TEFAP resources can supply household food, not prepared meals.

NDA has received waivers from USDA that will allow more flexibility to provide emergency food response to affected communities with reduced risk through temporarily eliminating signature requirements and reducing and contact.

Food distribution sites and times confirmed so far:
NOTE: this list will be updated as sites are confirmed – please check our Facebook for any updates.

Carson City will be added to the list as soon as information becomes available.

Lyon County
— Delivering meals via the bus route from 9 to 10 a.m. starting today, Monday, March 16

Douglas County meal sites expected to start Tuesday, March 17
— C.C Meneley Elementary School
— Aspire Academy High School

Churchill County grab and go meal sites (breakfast and lunch) are expected start on Wednesday, March 18
7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.:
— Churchill County High School
— Numa Elementary School
— Northside Early Learning

Elko County meal sites expected to start Wednesday, March 18
— Southside Elementary School
— West Wendover High School
— Jackpot
— Owyhee

Lincoln County meal sites expected to start Tuesday, March 17
— Caliente Elementary School
— Pahranagat Middle School

Nye County have two options starting Wednesday 03/18/20:
— Option 1: Walk up meals 10 to 11 a.m. provided at Round Mountain, Gabbs Elementary, Tonopah Elementary, and Tonopah Middle and High.
— Option 2: Bus Routes will be operating their normal route with meals staring at 10 a.m.

Clark County
The following Clark County School District (CCSD) sites are open 8 to 11 a.m. (breakfast and lunch in a grab-and-go bag):
· Basic High School
· Canyon Springs High School
· Centennial High School
· Chaparral High School
· Cheyenne High School
· Cimarron Memorial High School
· Clark High School
· Desert Pines High School
· Las Vegas High School
· Mojave High School
· Shadow Ridge High School
· Sierra Vista High School
· Silverado High School
· Spring Valley High School
· Veterans Tribute Career and Technical Academy (VTCTA)

In addition, the following charter schools:
· Equipo Academy (charter school) is serving drive-thru meals today in partnership with Three Square
· Quest Las Vegas