What is the latest News about childhood hunger?

The Agriculture Department announced Tuesday that it would take steps to ensure free meals are offered to all American school children when schools are out over the summer, in an effort to reach more of the estimated 12 million youths experiencing food insecurity.

The USDA said in an announcement that it was extending waivers that allow all school children to receive free meals until Sept. 30.

The waivers allow meals to be served at no cost, outside group settings and mealtimes, allowing parents and guardians to pick up multiple days of food at once in some school districts and without their children’s presence.

“We will do everything we can to make sure children get access to healthy, nutritious meals regardless of their families’ financial circumstances,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement Tuesday. “Our child nutrition professionals are doing a heroic job ensuring kids across the country have proper nutrition throughout this public health emergency, often times with limited resources.”