Amidst the federal government’s shutdown of “non-essential” services, its central food assistance program is slated to cease support on November 1. Guidance suggests that in-school free and reduced-price meals will not be an immediate casualty of the federal freeze — but this comfort is not certain if the shutdown continues for multiple weeks.
The US Government, in the absence of either an annual budget or a comprehensive “continuing resolution,” has ceased its functions deemed non-essential. The effects in Maryland have been broad, both direct and indirect, and continue to mount.
Here we explore some secondary effects of the shutdown — specifically, whether support for subsidized school meals is in jeopardy of being eclipsed. The bottom line: school meal programs appear to be safe, for now, but the long term is less clear.
SNAP Expiring November 1
The most visible programmatic deadline approaching amidst the federal shutdown is the end of federal funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly and informally known as “food stamps,” as of the end of October. See coverage on Conduit Street: SNAP Cuts and Food Prices Put Pressure on Maryland Households.
In addition to the direct effects on many Maryland families, the SNAP program is connected in many ways to school-based meal subsidies, and stakeholders have raised concerns with those programs as the SNAP expiration approaches rapidly.
Guidance from the State Department of Education
A guidance memorandum, sent by the State Superintendent of Schools to local school systems in October, indicates the month-to-month status of school nutrition funding:
Potential Impact – School and Community Nutrition Program Grant Funds
At this time, there is a possibility that the federal school meals programs funding will be impacted by the federal government shutdown. Currently, Nutrition programs are funded through October. October claims will be paid in November. If the federal government shutdown continues through November, MSDE will seek support from the state for reimbursement claims for November. If the shutdown continues into December, LEAs may be asked to rely on available food service fund balances to support the programs until the shutdown ends.
For more detail, the full memorandum is linked below:
MSDE Federal Government Shutdown – Memo to LEAs 10092025
Further Context from National Stakeholders
An online memorandum from the School Nutrition Association offers some more information, though not Maryland-specific:
Will school nutrition programs receive reimbursements for meals served in September?
According to USDA’s Lapse of Funding Plan, “Carryover funding and recoveries are available to continue to reimburse schools as well as child and adult care providers for meals served in September and October.” The plan also indicates that Section 32 funds can be made available to support operations and that some Food and Nutrition Service employees will be excepted from furlough to support operations. SFAs should contact their State agencies to confirm funds are on hand.
Will school nutrition programs receive reimbursements if the shutdown lasts past October?
Several State agencies have reported they do not currently have adequate funding to cover October’s meals and that reimbursements could be delayed should the shutdown extend beyond November 1. However, USDA’s Lapse of Funding Plan, states that “Carryover funding and recoveries are available to continue to reimburse schools as well as child and adult care providers for meals served in September and October.” USDA’s October 1 letter to State agencies states that “funding has been provided for the Child Nutrition Programs at least through October.”
In prior shutdowns, USDA has released advanced funds to State agencies to ensure continued reimbursements in case the shutdown was lengthy. SNA contacted USDA prior to the shutdown inquiring if advanced payments would be issued and to request more information on members’ behalf. SNA will continue to urge USDA to provide greater clarity and will share additional details as they become available.
Notifying Stakeholders
Given the broad uncertainties surrounding the shutdown and related matters, counties and school systems have sought to provide clarity to residents and families affected by programs in doubt. St. Mary’s County has issued a broad release, shown in part below, that incorporates its clearest indication on school nutrition programs, among other services and offerings related to the federal standstill:
Future Worry: Re-Certification
In the event that the federal shutdown lingers long enough to eclipse the school nutrition programs, there is another administrative matter of serious importance: would families need to re-certify eligibility for the program following any abridged federal service? Historically, the process of families maintaining eligibility has been far less complicated than establishing new eligibility — so the prospect of a top-to-bottom recertification for all participants would be itself a daunting challenge for already-stressed school systems seeking to serve needy students.
More on The Shutdown from NACo
As always, the National Association of Counties has maintained updated information on the federal shutdown and its local effects. Visit their site for any breaking news or analysis of county programs being undermined by the federal standstill.
This article is part of MACo’s Policy Deep Dive series, where expert policy analysts explore and explain the top county policy issues of the day. A new article is added each week – read all of MACo’s Policy Deep Dives.
