Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor Warren Slocum, District 4
Subject: Universal Meal Pilot Program in High-Needs Schools
RECOMMENDATION:
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Recommendation to:
A) Approve an allocation of $1,000,000 of Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding for the purposes of establishing a pilot program to provide supplemental funding to school districts that participate in universal meal programs to reduce food insecurity among students; and
B) Authorize the County Manager, or the County Manager's designee, to negotiate an agreement with the San Mateo County Office of Education to provide for the transfer of $1,000,000 in CARES Act funds to the San Mateo County of Education and to provide for the administration and distribution of the grant funds to San Mateo County school districts.
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BACKGROUND:
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Get Health San Mateo County estimated that 13% of children in San Mateo County were experiencing food insecurity. With the high cost of living in San Mateo County, many families struggling with food insecurity fell above the income threshold for food assistance programs and free and reduced price school meal programs which is set at 185% of the federal poverty level, or less than $50,000 annually for a family of four. The COVID-19 pandemic has only served to exacerbate food insecurity; since March 2020 Second Harvest of Silicon Valley has more than doubled its food distributions to families in San Mateo County. This environment requires additional collaboration and leveraging of resources between the County, School Districts and local partners like Second Harvest of Silicon Valley to ensure that federal and state resources are maximized and families are supported.
Research shows that receiving free or reduced-price school lunches reduces food insecurity, obesity rates, and poor health outcomes for children. The Nat...
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