The “junk” charges for electronic deposits into school meal accounts will be prohibited starting in the 2027-2028 academic year for those eligible for free and reduced-price lunches.

Summary

A new USDA rule will prohibit schools from charging transaction fees to low-income families depositing funds in student lunch accounts, effective in the 2027-2028 school year.

This change benefits students eligible for free or reduced-price meals, sparing families extra costs when adding money to accounts.

Advocates and lawmakers, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren, support the ban, calling it a victory against “greedy” fees.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack praised the move, stating that USDA aims to eliminate fees for all families regardless of income level.

  • Solemarc@lemmy.world
    631·
    2 months ago

    Hang on, does this say “schools charge transaction fees when you pay for lunch online”??? As in, a parent puts $20 on their child’s tab for lunch and the school taxes it so the kid only gets $18? That’s wild.

    • hedgehogging_the_bed@lemmy.worldEnglish
      43·
      2 months ago

      Yep! $2.25 for the “convenience” every transaction on the shady new app my school district picked this year. I’m supposed to be grateful they moved to an app this year that processes the payments quickly instead of the 1 school day lag the last app had.

      • Solemarc@lemmy.world
        9·
        2 months ago

        Well, I’m not American.

        In Australia you either bring your own lunch or you bring cash for the school shop. If you have no lunch then the school feeds you from the shop and charges the parents later.

          • InverseParallax@lemmy.worldEnglish
            4·
            2 months ago

            What are you talking about? He’s literally right here blessing it every day, are you blind?

            For Jesus so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son…

            To break character real quick: I apologize for just making you vomit in your own mouth.

    • curbstickle@lemmy.dbzer0.com
      4·
      2 months ago

      Correct!

      Thankfully my kids school will also just load it up from cash, so we drop a $20 in when needed. I make lunch every day, but if she is still hungry or wants a milk its there, and every Friday we let her get a dessert.

      There are also fees to pay online for school trips, the book store, etc.

  • horse_battery_staple@lemmy.world
    201·
    2 months ago

    I cannot believe that’s even a thing. It’s bad enough they take my tax dollars and don’t feed the kids with it, but an online charge on top?! Bullshit

  • fubarx@lemmy.ml
    16·
    2 months ago

    Yet again, grateful to live in California, where school breakfast and lunches are free to all students. Hands down, best use of my taxes (public libraries are a close #2).