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Discussion on school food funding and federal reimbursement
7:52:13
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Council Member Brannan inquires about the $25 million increase in school food funding and why it wasn't baselined across the plan period. Director Jiha explains that the funding depends on meal participation and is reimbursed by the federal government.
- The increase was not baselined because it depends on participation rates
- Director Jiha assures that there's no reason to worry about federal funding for the program
- The city gets reimbursed by the federal government for every meal served
Justin Brannan
7:52:13
Okay, director.
7:52:14
Let's just do a lightning round.
7:52:16
Just have a couple left over from folks who who had to leave or sent in questions.
7:52:22
Talk about school food.
7:52:24
So I know you made some headlines last time with talking about chicken nuggets.
7:52:30
The council's understanding is that, the cut to menu items in February was not the result of reduced funding, but rather caused by an unexpected increase in meal participation, which is a good thing.
7:52:41
That's what we want.
7:52:43
In order to restore the menu items, the city utilized $25,000,000 of Federal funding, but only for f y 24 despite the fact that the budget for school food was already lower in f y 25 than 24.
7:52:55
So could you tell us why wasn't the 25,000,000 increase in school food funded baseline across the plan period?
Jacques Jiha
7:53:04
The, 25th the $25,000,000 was not baseline because, the revenue depends on the participation.
7:53:13
Okay.
7:53:14
So, we are monitoring the need closely, and, we will address, the budget, as needed.
7:53:23
You know?
7:53:25
That's that's what it is.
Justin Brannan
7:53:29
Okay.
7:53:29
But can the federal funds only be accessed on a lag once an uptick in meal participation is occurs?
Jacques Jiha
7:53:36
I I I don't see any reason why to worry about, you know, because as long as because the the, the the funding we get is based on on meal serves.
7:53:46
So as long as, the meals are served, I don't see any reason why to worry about federal funding for this particular program to be quite honest with you.
7:53:57
As I said, you know, you know, it's, it's more kids are eating.
7:54:02
It's good for them, and, we encourage that.
7:54:05
And as long as the minister of the federal pays for it, so it's not like a city's money per se.
7:54:10
You know what I'm saying to you?
7:54:11
Yeah.
7:54:12
Yeah.
7:54:12
So, you know, so we don't see any issue at this point in time with this, program going forward in terms of funding.
Justin Brannan
7:54:20
Okay.
7:54:20
I get so we just wanna make sure we're not gonna have to cut and
Jacques Jiha
7:54:23
No.
7:54:24
I I don't.
7:54:24
I I don't I don't see it.
7:54:26
Because I said we'll get, you know, reimbursed by the federal government Okay.
7:54:30
For every meal that is served.
Justin Brannan
7:54:32
Okay.