The Burlington County Institute of Technology (BCIT) and the Burlington County Special Services School District have announced that eligible students will continue to receive free and reduced-price breakfasts and lunches, regardless of the duration of the ongoing federal government shutdown.
Assemblywoman Andrea Katz sent a letter to the combined BCIT/Burlington County Special Services School District school board, urging them to maintain uninterrupted access to free and reduced meals. She cited the White House and U.S. Department of Agriculture’s decision to suspend Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits as her reason for contacting the district. The correspondence led the school board to act in order to ensure meal services are not interrupted.
The announcement came after the Board of Education for both districts passed a resolution confirming that weekday meals would be provided even if there is an interruption or delay in federal reimbursement due to the shutdown. The resolution gives Business Administrators authority to allocate enough funding for these programs through the end of the 2025-26 school year if necessary.
There is a considerable need for food assistance in Burlington County, with about 1,050 BCIT students and another 250 from Burlington County Special Services School District currently eligible for free or reduced meals. More than 24,000 county residents are enrolled in 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 this action by BCIT/Special Services School District, Katz expressed hope that other districts would implement similar measures: “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 voiced support for this decision: “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, who serves as liaison to 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 Board President Odise Carr emphasized student welfare: “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.”
Burlington County covers 827 square miles—making it New Jersey’s largest county by area—and includes three cities among its 40 political subdivisions according to official sources. The county operates under a Board of Commissioners composed of five at-large members.
The local community also features resources such as Historic Smithville Park—a 312-acre site—and recognizes contributions through initiatives like its Outstanding Women awards program as noted on its website.
The library system aims at enriching lives by supporting learning opportunities throughout the region.
