Free Meals for All Students Ended June 30, 2022
While the federal government funded a program that allowed all students access to free meals during the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress declined to continue funding this program. As a result, free meals for every student ended June 30, 2022. This means all families who do not qualify for free meals will need to carry a positive balance in their student’s meal account.
We understand this is a significant change to a family’s household budget. Below is information regarding what this means financially.
What is a Reimbursable Meal?
The National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program are regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture. A complete meal, meeting nutrient content and portion size requirements, allows a school to receive benefits and is referred to as a “reimbursable meal.”
Daily Reimbursable Meal Costs
Breakfast
| School | Full Price | Reduced Price | Free Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary | $1.50 | $.30 | $0 |
| AMS & AHS | $1.55 | $.30 | $0 |
Lunch
| School | Full Price | Reduced Price | Free Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary | $2.75 | $.40 | $0 |
| AMS & AHS | $2.95 | $.40 | $0 |
Single Milk
| School | Full Price | Reduced Price | Free Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools | $.50 | $.50 | $.50 |
Middle and high school students may choose to purchase a la carte items if they have money in their lunch account or cash in hand at the time of purchase, however, change will not be provided, so exact cash is preferred. Any cash amount over the price of the item will be deposited into the student’s lunch account.
Free & Reduced Meals Application
Complete an application if you have not already done so and if you feel you meet the income guidelines for free and reduced meals.
- 2022-2023 Application for Free & Reduced Price School Meal/Milk. A new application must be completed every year.
Components & Reimbursable Meals
- School meals are made up of components. Those are:
- Milk
- Meat/meal alternative/protein item
- Grain item
- Fruit
- Vegetables
- At breakfast, a reimbursable meal consists of a minimum of three different food items from an offering of at least four components. One of the three items must be a full serving of a fruit or vegetable.
- Grain item – such as cereal or muffin.
- Protein items – such as yogurt, eggs, and string cheese.
- Fruit or vegetable – juice, canned, fresh.
- Fluid milk
- At lunch, a reimbursable meal consists of a minimum of three of the five components. One of the three must be a full serving of a fruit or vegetable.
- Grain
- Meat/meat alternate
- Fruit
- Vegetable
- Fluid milk
- Chartwells has an unlimited fruit and vegetable policy with any meal.
How Do I Put Money On My Student’s Lunch Account?
- Log in to your Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Click the three horizontal lines to open up the main menu. Under the menu, typically found on the left hand side of your screen, select Food Service.
- Families that do not qualify for free meals, or who wish to purchase ala carte or single milk, can deposit money into their student’s account.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at:
https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or
(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Iowa Non-Discrimination Statement:
It is the policy of this CNP provider not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or religion in its programs, activities, or employment practices as required by the Iowa Code section 216.6, 216.7, and 216.9. If you have questions or grievances related to compliance with this policy by this CNP Provider, please contact the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Grimes State Office building, 400 E. 14th St. Des Moines, IA 50319-1004; phone number 515-281-4121, 800-457-4416; website: https://icrc.iowa.gov/.