This communication should be considered formal notice that free school meals are ending this summer.
In response to COVID-19 work disruptions, Congress approved full funding for school meals for every student since 2020. Recently, Congress voted AGAINST covering school meal costs going forward. Congress also did not grant waivers that allow schools some flexibility in lower cost menu items.
That means starting in the Fall of 2022, parents/guardians will again be responsible for paying for school meals – and fees will more accurately reflect the real cost of each meal instead of being subsidized.
We urge you to plan ahead now. More information will be coming soon regarding updated meal prices.
IMPORTANT: If you believe your family meets the income eligibility requirements to qualify for Free or Reduced School Meals, PLEASE fill out the 2021-22 form NOW. The new form for the fall will not be available until mid-July. However, filling out the current form now allows a 30-day grace period in the fall, giving you more time to complete it for the 2022-23 school year.
Those who don’t qualify for Free/Reduced Meals will be charged. When a student does not have money in their account, they will be offered an alternative meal. SFSD has no choice but to operate in this fiscally responsible manner. Some 22,000 meals are prepared, served, and consumed each school day. Just as drivers cannot fill at the gas pump and drive off or eat and a restaurant without paying, parents/guardians must be responsible for the cost of meals their child eats at school. SFSD does not have funding to cover unpaid balances.
Please plan ahead. If your family qualifies for Free/Reduced Meals, fill out the necessary forms.
SFSD Child Nutrition Staff take pride in serving nutritious meals each day to fuel your child’s learning. Strict caloric, fat, sodium, and other health guidelines must be followed to ensure a nutritionally balanced menu. Please encourage your student to try new foods, be kind to child nutrition staff, and to be flexible should a last-minute change be required due to the nationwide labor shortage and supply chain issues.
Check out our monthly e-newsletter titled “What’s the Scoop?” In it, you will find detailed information about our goals to serve healthy and great-tasting foods to fuel your child’s academic success.
Thank you for partnering with us.
