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Free Meal Service Beginning September 14
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved FREE Breakfast and Lunch for Sioux City Community School District students starting September 14, 2020. Free meals will be available through December 31, 2020, or until funding is depleted.
Who can access meals?
- All Sioux City Community School District students ages 18 and under will be eligible for free meals (breakfast and lunch)
- All On-Site Learners will be served meals at school.
- Virtual Learners are still able to pick up meals. Meal distribution schedule.
How does this affect your student’s school lunch status?
Students that already receive free meals will experience no change in lunch status. Students that are full pay or reduced lunch status will be Temporarily moved to FREE status. No meal charges will be made to student accounts from September 14 through December 31, 2020 or until the district is notified by the USDA and State Authorities that the funding is depleted. The USDA is unable to forecast if this funding will run out before December 31; therefore, the free meal program will be a fluid process. We will notify families as soon as possible if we are made aware of any changes.
When the USDA ends the free meal program, students will return to their original lunch status, and student accounts will be charged accordingly for the rest of the school year. Ala carte options will still be available; however, ala carte items are not covered by the USDA, and students will be charged for ala carte items.
You can pay for ala carte items on the District website. Please also make sure your child’s lunch balance through September 11 is paid. Follow this link to pay your lunch fees online. If money is currently in the meal account, it can be used for the ala carte items, or it will carry over until regular meal prices resume.
How does this affect applying for free and reduced lunches?
Parents/guardians are still encouraged to complete the Iowa Eligibility Meal Application to apply for free and reduced status. Apply here or pick up an application from your child’s school. Applications must be submitted by October 2. Completing the application now ensures you will still receive the appropriate meal benefits when the USDA free meal program expires.
If you have any questions, please contact food service at 712-279-6860.