Area Eligibility on Free/Reduced Meals
We wanted to make you aware of a new adjustment to the statewide update regarding area eligibility during the COVID-19 pandemic, as it relates to meal distribution in school districts throughout the State of Ohio. The deadline has been extended to June 30, 2021.
This policy provides guidance to a) National School Lunch Program (NSLP) School Food Authorities operating under the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) or b) Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) sponsors about expanding area eligibility during the coronavirus (COVID-19) meal distribution process.
Under this new guidance, lunches served to ALL students will be at no cost for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year. Details are listed below, as to the specifics on what constitutes a school lunch under this policy.
Lunch at No Cost Includes
Grades 1 – 8: Entree, grain, choice of 2 different vegetables, 1 fruit & milk
Grades 9 – 12: Entree, grain, choice of 2 different vegetables, choice of 2 different fruits & milk.
Students must select a minimum of 1 fruit or vegetable + 2 other items to be considered a lunch meal. Students are encouraged to take all 5 components (entree, grain, fruit, vegetable & milk). All students will be charged for ala carte purchases, just as they always have been.
Free/Reduced Meal Applications
Families are still encouraged to submit free/reduced meal applications to ensure that they do not lose their free/reduced status at the conclusion of this statewide policy. This is very important, as there is no guarantee when funding for this statewide policy will expire.
This policy is effective immediately and remains in effect until June 30, 2021, or until expiration of the federally declared public health emergency or until funding is depleted, whichever is earlier.
Click Here to View the Free/Reduced Meals Application
Click Below to Learn More About This Policy