The supply chain crisis affecting the U.S. economy has now hit school cafeterias and lunchrooms nationwide.
Many schools are struggling to feed students as shortages and delays still continue.
Dimtra Barrios, the director of food service in Ridley School District, said: It s a daily fight for schools.
From Frohns that deliveries arrive so that we don t have to adjust our menu to ensure our students receive meals, she told FOX Business Jeff Flock.
Nutrition is a vital necessity for all students of all ages. The students' learning and development can also suffer if the lack of food is considered healthy.
There is also a supply shortage as well. Plates and serving trays are also in low inventory, especially five-part compartment trays.
Although these items seem simple, they are necessary in lunchrooms, especially for small children who need something easy to hold to prevent accidents and spills.
In addition to shortages, delays in deliveries also pose a problem for schools and directors.
If schools don t come up with the solution on time, school officials must go to a place where they could get their assignments done quickly.
Barrios says she goes to large warehouse suppliers and grocery stores to get whatever we can get our hands on to make it happen for our students to receive meals. Like Barrios, many have had to find their own transportation to and from grocery stores and warehouses to make this happen, which also comes at a cost.
At some point, we were hoping we will be able to receive more reimbursements to subsidize that difference in the increase of goods right now, Barrios said.
Hopefully we continue to receive deliveries, they arrive on a regular basis and they have the items that we need, she concluded.
If the crisis persists, students can struggle both nationally and educationally.