For the past two years, the USDA has offered waivers to Child Nutrition (CN) Programs across the United States, allowing these programs to offer all students breakfast and lunch at no cost to you. Unfortunately, these waivers will expire on June 30, 2022.
Starting next school year (22-23), CN programs across the nation will return to normal, pre- pandemic operations. Families will once again be asked to complete and submit a current school year Free/Reduced Meal Application if they would like to see if their students qualify based on income. In past years, the first 30 days of the school year carry over status from the previous school year. Since very few meal applications were submitted over the past two years, here is what you can do to ensure your child(s) is ready to start the 22-23 school year:
-
Complete a 21-22 meal application. This will give the student(s) a 30-day carryover status to start the 22-23 school year and give families time to complete the new 22-23 meal application at the start of the school year.
-
Be on the watch for the new 22-23 meal application to complete as soon as it is available by USDA before the start of the school year. This will cover your child(s) for the entire 22-23 school year and no other steps will be necessary unless there is an income change during the school year.
Jim Thorpe Area School District will notify you as soon as the USDA’s 22-23 meal application is available, and they may be completed in one of two ways:
-
Meal applications can be picked up in any of the school offices. These meal applications need to be completed in entirety and returned to the student’s home school office or food service department.
-
Meal applications can be completed online here: www.schoolcafe.com
We’re committed to working tirelessly to provide high-quality, nutritious, healthy, and well-balanced meals to all students. You and your child/children’s well-being has always been our highest priority, and we’re committed to help making this transition back to everyday operations as seamless as possible.
Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns you may have.
Rebecca Farina
Food Service Director
570.325.5144