While free meals for all students were a welcome relief during the COVID-19 pandemic, these benefits ended in May 2022 when the federal government declined to continue funding this program. This means all families will need to carry a positive balance in their children's school meal accounts to ensure that their students have the nutrition they need throughout the day to learn.

If you're feeling a little anxious about how your child will manage without a free lunch, don't worry. We've got you covered with some specific actions you can take now to make sure your child gets the meals they need.

For many families, the simple task of taking the time now to budget for the cost of your child's school lunches may be all that is necessary. In the near future, updated meal pricing will be available on our District's Child Nutrition Department webpage. Families that do not qualify for Free or Reduced Meal Benefits should start setting aside money each month to deposit into their child's account (MySchoolBucks.com). Keep in mind that you can use this tool to add funds when your child needs them, and even set up automatic deposits!

Some Students Will Still Qualify, But You Must Take Action

If your child qualifies for free or reduced meals, they can still receive them, but you must take action to make it happen! If you are concerned that you may not be able to afford school meal prices, we urge you to fill out an application for free or reduced meal benefits as soon as possible. You can find a copy of this application on our website or contact Chris Beach, Child Nutrition Director. The process is simple and can be done online, but Chris is happy to answer any questions you may have. See the Apply section below on the left for further instructions.

The District is always available to support families, so think about what option is best for you, and let us know if there is any way we can assist.