The Burlington County Institute of Technology (BCIT) and the Burlington County Special Services School District have announced that they will continue providing free and reduced-price breakfasts and lunches to eligible students, regardless of the duration of the ongoing federal government shutdown.
This decision follows a letter from Assemblywoman Andrea Katz (LD8), who urged the combined school board to ensure uninterrupted meal service for students. Katz’s letter was prompted by the White House and U.S. Department of Agriculture’s move to suspend Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits starting November 1.
In her correspondence, Assemblywoman Katz wrote, “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. 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.”
After receiving this request, the BCIT/Special Services School District Board of Education passed a resolution affirming their commitment to maintain weekday meal services even if federal reimbursement is delayed or interrupted due to the shutdown. The resolution allows Business Administrators from both districts to allocate funds as needed through the end of the 2025-26 school year.
Currently, about 1,050 BCIT students and another 250 at Burlington County Special Services School District qualify for free or reduced meals. Additionally, more than 24,000 residents in Burlington County are enrolled in SNAP benefits.
Assemblywoman Katz expressed hope that other districts would adopt 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,” she said. “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 also voiced support for this initiative: “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. “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.”
Odise Carr, President of BCIT/Special Services School District Board of Education, emphasized their focus on 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.”
