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.

  • variants@possumpat.ioEnglish
    2·
    3 days ago

    Dang sounds like such a pain, I remember in elementary just going down the lunch line and at the end would be a old lady on a stool and little cash box you paid, if not she would write you up and send you home with a note that you owed money haha. In high school we had the free lunch line in a building and the outside had some containers that sold food like chicken sandwiches or cup noodles for cash.

    • Breezy@lemmy.world
      3·
      3 days ago

      Well that just sounds unprofitable. No what we need to do is complicate the whole process where we’ll get transaction fees and late dues.

      What are you some type of commie.